CLEARFIELD – A man accused in an April 1 shooting incident outside of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Osceola Mills waived all charges during Centralized Court on Wednesday at the Clearfield County Jail.
Robert Dwayne Hanson, 55, of Bellefonte has been charged with criminal attempt/murder of the first-degree; two counts each of aggravated assault and simple assault; recklessly endangering another person; and possession of a firearm prohibited. Hanson remains in jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Hanson was in the Osceola Mills VFW on April 1. He was seated with a female at the bar; both were consuming alcohol. A male entered the VFW and shortly after Hanson borrowed car keys from the female.
Hanson allegedly exited the bar and entered the female’s vehicle parked nearby. While inside the vehicle, the male allegedly gave Hanson a .22-caliber pistol, which he put in his waistband. Both Hanson and the male re-entered the VFW. After the male left, Hanson sat down next to the female and allegedly told her he’d gotten a gun and intended to shoot Jeff Swanson for ripping him off.
The female then left the VFW and went home. When she got home she called another bar and talked to Swanson. She allegedly told Swanson to stay away from Hanson, because he had a gun and intended to shoot him. When Swanson left the bar he walked up the street to the VFW and opened its door. He allegedly yelled for Hanson to come outside, which he did, and the men engaged in an argument.
Swanson allegedly slapped Hanson across his face and then punched him several times in the head and face area. Hanson fell to the ground, at which point the gun came out of his waistband. Both Hanson and Swanson allegedly grabbed for and struggled over the gun.
According to the affidavit, the gun went off and fired into the air. It went off a second time, which allegedly grazed the side of Hanson’s head. Swanson then began to walk away from Hanson when Hanson allegedly yelled “Hey Jeff.” Swanson stopped and turned around, and Hanson allegedly fired a shot that hit Swanson in the right side of his chest.
Swanson then fell to the ground while Hanson was escorted back into the VFW by other patrons. A VFW staff member had called 911 while the fight and shooting was occurring outside. Upon arrival to the scene, emergency personnel began providing medical treatment. Both Hanson and Swanson were taken by ambulance and then by helicopter to UPMC Altoona for treatment of their injuries.
Hanson was treated for minor injuries and released the next day. Swanson, however, suffered injuries to his chest area, including his right lung, as a result of a gunshot wound, according to the affidavit.
Swanson has also been charged as a result of the alleged shooting incident. He waived charges of simple assault and harassment. Swanson is free on $10,000 unsecured bail.
