A Franklin County homeowner faces criminal charges in the fatal shooting of a robbery suspect early Christmas morning in Fayetteville. The incident began just after 5 am when alleged suspect Janorris Hughes, 21, armed with a .22 caliber rifle, broke in and attempted to rob Mickle Joe Shaffer, 54, and everyone else inside his home. One of the victims, Terry Fulton, 36, fought back. During the struggle Fulton was shot three times. Police say both Fulton and Hughes fled, leaving the rifle behind.
Shaffer picked up the rifle and went after Hughes, shooting him in the lower back. Hughes was pronounced dead at the scene at about 6:48 am. State Police subsequently charged Shaffer with Criminal Homicide for shooting Hughes. Shaffer is being held without bail at Franklin County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week.
“Definitely a terrible thing,” says Trooper Rob Hicks of Pennsylvania State Police. “Most people wake up in the morning on Christmas expecting a nice, peaceful day with their friends and family. To wake up to this, I’m sure, is terrifying.”
Police would not comment directly on the charges, or say whether the Shaffer had any prior relationship to Hughes.