CLEARFIELD – A man accused of attempting to kill a Morrisdale man over how the man allegedly treated his mother had a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Shawn Gillen faces charges of criminal attempt to commit criminal homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and firearms not to be carried without a license.
The alleged victim in the case took the stand and related that he was at home watching a Steelers game on Nov. 26. He said he heard a knock at his door, went to answer it and saw Gillen, whom he did not recognize since he had not seen Gillen in about 13 years.
The Morrisdale man related that he and Gillen spoke for about five minutes before Gillen became aggressive and began making comments about what the man had allegedly done to his mother in the past. The man told Gillen to talk to his mother, and that he did not have time for what was going on.
The man said he turned around and noticed Gillen draw a gun. The man said he could not remember if shots were fired before he ran or after. He said he heard three more shots fired at one point before he started up his steps to get his own weapon.
While on the steps the man related that he heard the Gillen leaving. He said that he called Gillen’s mother and then the police.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Gillen admitted to stealing the gun, a Colt .22 caliber revolver from his mother.
State trooper Svin Donaldson testified that he arrived on the scene shortly after a call for shots fired came over the radio. Donaldson said that once on scene a cursory investigation yielded two bullet holes around the doorway. Donaldson then said that a call went out for a man waiving a gun on Second Street in Philipsburg, and that it was believed to be the same person.
When Donaldson arrived in Philipsburg, Gillen was already in custody.
Donaldson returned to the scene in Morrisdale on Nov. 27 and found three more spots where bullets had struck the house. Donaldson said that bullets struck the porch railing and a post, all in the vicinity of the door.
Donaldson spoke with Gillen and Mirandized him. Donaldson related that Gillen told him that the alleged victim deserved to die for what he did to his mother. When given the opportunity to provide a written statement, Donaldson said that Gillen wrote down “I will kill him.” He said that Gillen then scratched it out, and that he had Gillen initial it to verify that he made the markings. Donaldson said that Gillen told him he does not write very well, so they conducted a taped interview.
All charges against Gillen were held to court by Magisterial District Judge Richard Ireland and Gillen remains in Clearfield County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
