Westmoreland County PA Archives News.....Schmucker Shot December 28, 1965
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Donald Buncie http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008389 May 25, 2026, 11:40 am

Latrobe Bulletin December 28, 1965
Youth Buried Today 
Law authorities were waiting until after today's funeral for young Martin Joseph
Schmucker before continuing their investigation into his tragic Christmas Eve
death. The eight-year-old Latrobe youth was allegedly shot accidentally by his
16-year-old brother, James Alan Schmucker. He presently is under a doctors’ care
in a state of shock. Funeral and burial services were held this morning from
Latrobe's Holy Family Church. The fatal shooting occurred in the third-floor
bedroom of the family's home at 606 Spring St. The deceased boy's brother James
was the object of an extensive search by police, firemen and citizens shortly
after the shooting at 12:40 p.m., Friday. He quickly fled from his home to the
barn of his uncle's farm near Darlington, approximately seven miles away, before
he was found at 3 p.m. Saturday. The youth was brought home by his father,
Donald A. Schmucker. The fatal shot was delivered by an Italian-made 6.5 mm
calibre rifle, allegedly held by the brother when it discharged as two other
younger brothers were nearby in a third-floor bedroom. The boy's father and four
other children were reportedly in other parts of the house at the time while
Mrs. Schmucker was completing her Christmas shopping. Two smaller brothers
allegedly told police that James shot Martin in the head and then fled from the
house, panic-stricken. Presently, James is still recovering from shock and mains
under sedation. Latrobe Police chief Chester College said today that the youth
will be questioned in the next day or two. Local, state police and county
detectives, who are investigating the case, are expected to begin further
questioning either later today or sometime tomorrow. College, however, said the
rifle belonged to the lather, a partner in a bowling alley in Latrobe. The
victim had four brothers and four sisters, all at home. 

Additional Comments:
Latrobe Bulletin Tue, Dec 28, 1965

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