LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. —
A man was arrested after allegedly shooting and injuring a victim Tuesday in Lebanon.
According to the Lebanon City Police Department, on March 26 at 6 p.m., officers responded to Family Dollar, located at 306 Cumberland Street, for a report of shots fired.
At the scene, officers discovered that a gunshot victim and suspect were still inside the store.
Officers created a perimeter and announced their presence. According to police, both the victim and suspect, identified as Octavius Burrus, 22, left the store without incident. Officers say the victim had visible injuries to his head and hands.
A witness had provided police with a description of Burrus. The witness says they were inside the store with the victim when Burrus entered and accused the victim of insulting his mother, according to a criminal complaint.
The witness allegedly told police that Burrus took out a gun and the victim—who was empty-handed—lunged at him, trying to prevent him from shooting. During the ensuing struggle, Burrus allegedly shot the victim in the hand and grazed the top of his head. Police say the wounds needed immediate medical attention.
The victim's wounds required stitches at a hospital, and he will permanently lose function in one of his fingers, officers said.
Burrus admitted to shooting the victim and buying the gun off the street a few years ago, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
Burrus was arrested and the gun was located on a shelf in the store near where the fight took place.
The investigation is ongoing. Lebanon City Police clarified that this shooting is unrelated to the police incident reported along 9th and Chestnut Streets earlier in the day.