UPDATE: The suspect accused of killing Deputy Fire Chief Bob Kile is now behind bars. Peter Gillis is charged with murder and two counts of reckless endangerment.
EXETER TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) Police were still on-scene Friday afternoon at a residence in Luzerne County where the Mt. Zion deputy fire chief was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds in the driveway.
The incident was called in around 8:00 a.m. on Friday when it was reported that a person had been shot at the intersection of Harding Ave. and Route 92.
Mt. Zion Bicentennial Fire-Rescue confirmed that Bob Kile, their deputy fire chief, was the deceased victim. The Exeter Township chief of police told Eyewitness News that the suspect is in state police custody.
Kevin Barry, a neighbor, says he heard the gunshots ring out in the usually quiet neighborhood.
“I was out having a cup of coffee on my porch where I’m always at in the morning an all of a sudden I heard about 6 rounds go off and maybe 10 seconds in between 6 more rounds went off,” Barry told Eyewitness News.
State police on the scene say the shooting was over an apparent neighbor dispute regarding property.
“I heard a bullhorn saying something about put your hands up, not quite sure because I wasn’t listening listening but you could definitely hear the bullhorn,” Barry said.
Pennsylvania State Police are handling the investigation.
A memorial has been set up to honor the life of Bob Kile. The Mt. Zion fire department put up black bunting and Kile’s uniform to honor him.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been corrected to reflect that the Mt. Zion Deputy Fire Chief is the victim, not the Exeter Township Deputy Fire Chief as originally reported.
