Cambria County man fatally shot wife with shotgun after she threatened to leave him

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) State police in Cambria County say a Patton man is behind bars after he allegedly shot and killed his wife Thursday afternoon after she reportedly threatened to leave him.

THE LATEST |

State police in Cambria County say a Patton man is behind bars after he allegedly shot and killed his wife Thursday afternoon after she reportedly threatened to leave him.

Police say authorities were dispatched after 3 p.m. Thursday to the 300 block of Grozanick Road, in Chest Township, for a reported shooting.

Authorities say the caller, 66-year-old Rebecca Simmons, told the 911 operator that she had been shot by her husband, 69-year-old William Simmons.

According to the affidavit, while the woman was on the phone with dispatchers, police say Simmons reportedly shot her a second time, then picked up the phone and told the 911 operator that he was "going to kill himself now."

Investigators say that when troopers arrived on scene, they found Simmons on the porch of the residence, and his wife's body was found in the furnace room of the home.

Police say Simmons admitted to shooting his wife with a 12-gauge shotgun following an argument in which she reportedly told him that she planned on leaving him.

Investigators say Rebecca Simmons was reportedly in the furnace room when William Simmons stated that he shot her through the door.

Police say Simmons also admitted that he did not check on his wife to see if she was alive, and instead picked up the phone and called his daughter to tell her that he had just killed her mother.

According to online court records, Simmons was arraigned Thursday night on various charges, including felony murder and aggravated assault.

He is being held at the Cambria County Prison and his bail was denied.

Officials say an autopsy confirmed that Rebecca Simmons died from two gunshot wounds to her lower torso and her death was officially ruled a homicide.

UPDATE #2 |

Cambria County district attorney Greg Neugebauer tells 6News that one woman was shot and killed, and one man was taken into custody, without incident, in relation to Thursday's shooting.

No names were released regarding the suspect and victim, however, according to online court documents, 69-year-old William Simmons is charged with murder, aggravated assault, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in an incident in Chest Twp. Thursday.

Court documents show he was arraigned at 9:04 p.m. Thursday in front of Judge Brian Subich. His bail was denied.

Neugebauer tells 6News he expects more details to be released Friday.

UPDATE |

State police in Cambria County say one person is dead and a suspect is in custody following a deadly shooting in Chest Township Thursday afternoon.

Police say authorities were dispatched to the 300 block Grozanick Road for the reported shooting.

Troopers say a homicide investigation is underway and further details will be released at a later time.

Authorities note that there is no danger to the public.

ORIGINAL |

The Cambria County coroner's office has been called to the scene of a reported shooting in Chest Township.

Details remain limited at this time but authorities say the incident reportedly occurred along the 300 block of Grozanick Road, near Patton.

6 News has a crew at the scene.

Stay with us online and on-air for further updates to this developing story.

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