SALEM TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A domestic dispute in Salem Township turned violent when a man shot his stepson in the leg, according to police.
Police say the incident began Monday evening just before 6:30 when 56-year-old Richard Foster went to his house in the 200 block of Moores Hill Road to gather his belongings.
Upon arriving at the scene police found Tyler Engle, Foster’s stepson, on the lawn with a gunshot wound to the leg and a bloody face. Police say Engle told them that he was in his room when Foster came in and shot him and then struck him in the face with a shotgun.
Police questioned Zachary Hallowich and Lane Golla, who were both at the scene when police arrived. According to officers, Golla had let Foster borrow the gun.
Foster told officers that he needed to go to the house to get mail and other personal belongings. He told officers that he felt the need to bring a gun because Engle had weapons in the house.
According to police, Foster said he, his wife and his daughter had left the house because they were afraid of Tyler Engle, Foster’s stepson.
Foster told officers that when he entered the home, he and Engle began to fight and Engle went to his bedroom. Foster said he opened the door and thought he was holding a weapon so he shot him in the leg, according to police.
Foster also said that after he shot Engle, he continued to go after him so he hit him with the stock of the gun, police say.
Foster is charged with two counts aggravated assault, two counts simple assault and reckless endangerment.
