NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — UPDATE: A Northumberland County man shot and killed his step-daughter Sunday afternoon in Lower Mahanoy Township and then was killed in turn, state police at Stonington said Tuesday.
Northumberland County District Attorney Michael O'Donnell will not pursue criminal charges against the juvenile who killed Tracey Adams because the killing of Adams was found to be in self-defense, state police said.
The shootings happened on Malta Road shortly after 5 p.m.
After an investigation, state police found out that it started as a verbal and physical fight at the Adams household between on Adams Road, about 1,000 feet from the Malta Road house where Adams and his step-daughter, Brandi Hauck, died.
Adams' juvenile daughter and another woman fled to Malta Road, seeking safety from Hauck, who is Adams' step-daughter, and another juvenile boy.
Adams followed, pistol in hand. Hauck demanded that Adams leave. A shot ran out and Hauck fell, fatally wounded.
Having just killed his step-daughter, Adams declared he would kill everyone else in the house. A boy, trying to defend himself and the others in the house, retrieved a gun and killed Adams as he advanced toward them, state police said.
"The juvenile's actions were justifiable and prevented death or serious bodily injury to the remaining individuals inside the home," O'Donnell said in a statement.
The killings of Hauck and Adams were ruled homicides but Adams' shooter will not face charges.