A state police criminal complaint is providing more details about what led to Wednesday’s domestic-related shooting at a residence in Jenner Township.
Authorities say troopers were contacted after 20-year-old Mason Jack reportedly called 911 to report that he had shot his father.
Police say the victim suffered a single gunshot wound to the abdomen and had to be flown to Conemaugh Hospital.
According to the affidavit, police say Jack told troopers that he and his father had reportedly been visiting a relative’s home where they were helping clean out the garage and do yard work.
Police say that, according to Jack, the two began arguing about some of the lawn equipment, specifically a weed eater that was not working.
Troopers say Jack claimed that he left the relative’s residence and went home, only for his father to follow him, where the argument reportedly escalated.
Police say Jack admitted to telling his father to “get the [expletive] out of his house.”
Troopers say the victim then reportedly followed Jack into another room in the home, where they then both pulled out handguns that they each had holstered.
Police say the two reportedly engaged in a brief “standoff,” before they each allegedly reached for the other’s gun and a struggle ensued.
Troopers say the two reportedly dropped their weapons and the struggle became physical, with both men striking one another.
According to the affidavit, Jack reportedly fled into another room where he admitted to retrieving a secondary weapon, a .357 magnum revolver, and returning to the previous room.
Police say Jack claimed that, during the struggle, he lost his glasses and could not see what his father was doing but believed that he was “looking for something.”
Troopers say Jack admitted that he believed that his father was attempting to retrieve his gun, so he fired one shot from the revolver.
Investigators say after he fired the shot, Jack stated that he began to render aid to his father while he called 911.
Authorities say the victim reportedly suffered multiple “moderate abdominal injuries” to his stomach wall and colon. His current condition is unknown.
According to online court records, Jack was arraigned on multiple charges, including two felony counts of aggravated assault, and is being held at the Somerset County Jail on $50,000 bail.