By BECKY METRICK

@BeckyMetrickPO

SHIPPENSBURG – Details about what was found and seized from the house that 8-year-old Alex Pfaff was shot in on Sept. 1 have been released.

Matthew Pfaff, his 6-year-old brother, shot him with a revolver in the Shippensburg area home, while their mother slept. Alex has since died from the resulting injuries.

According to the inventory report, police found a revolver that is believed to be the one used by Matthew, a rifle, a .22 caliber magazine with ammunition, marijuana pipe, grinder, two bottles for prescription medication, 11 other pill bottles and a weekly pill container. Prescription medications at the scene were oxycodone and ondansetron.

Alex had been shot in the head by Matthew while their mother slept in the same room, according to the affidavit.

When police initially searched the house, they found the above items and seized them for testing and evidence. The house was also considered “unfit for children” due to the piles of trash, abandoned vehicles, open food containers, piles of dirt and barriers of trash bags.

Their mother, Jessica Pfaff, had been asleep in the bedroom with Matthew and Alex when the shooting occurred. According to the affidavit, both the rifle and the revolver were loaded and in the room with them, easily accessible by the children.

Pfaff told police that she did not wake up when the gun was fired, but rather when Matthew woke her up saying “I shot Alex.”

In a press conference last week, Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed said that he would not charge Matthew for the shooting, because he’s too young to face such a charge, even in a juvenile court. Instead, his office will take a look at all of the evidence found in the house and the results of the blood tests given to Jessica Pfaff and decide on criminal charges. He expects to file charges along the lines of  either endangering the welfare of a child or reckless endangerment.

By BECKY METRICK @BeckyMetrickPO

NEWVILLE – By the time Dakin Burgess shot himself in Cumberland County’s Upper Mifflin Township late Monday, he had robbed a Chambersburg area bank of $12,000, lead police on a five-hour chase spanning nearly 100 miles, and shot two state troopers.

At a press conference Monday morning, Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed identified Burgess, 37, Pittsburgh, as the robber. In addition to finding the bank’s cash in the van, police found items that connected him to last Friday’s bomb threat at Growing Tree Preschool in Marion.

Cumberland County Coroner Charlie Hall confirmed that Burgess died from a single gunshot wound to his head. He also confirmed that he had another wound from an exchange of gunfire with police, as well as injuries that were consistent with the crash that ended the chase.

Police sent out a bulletin at Monday just after 5 p.m. saying they were looking for man who fled M&T Bank, 1798 Lincoln Way East, wearing a stocking on his head with a mustache drawn on, who was suspected of armed robbery. The bulletin warned that he was armed and dangerous.

During the chase, he fired multiple times at officers, wounding two officers, but not fatally. Burgess ultimately crashed his van at 414 Roxbury Road, Newville, after an officer vehicle rammed his vehicle. Burgess shot himself, forcing the vehicle to go out of control, according to Freed.

The first trooper who was shot had exchanged fire with Burgess, and a bullet ricocheted and hit his foot. He had surgery Monday night and is doing well, according to Freed.

The second trooper shot was hit in the shoulder, and his condition is still unclear.

Freed said that both officers tried to continue pursuing Burgess after they had been shot.

Outside of the home of Duane Wert, whose property Burgess crashed onto, there is still shattered glass and broken pieces of plastic covering at least a third of the front yard Tuesday afternoon. According to Wert, Burgess hit the utility pole outside his house, and it broke and fell over. When the van hit, the vehicle tipped up on its front bumper and came crashing down against a tree.

Wert said he heard a “bang bang” and he was afraid Burgess was attacking the house, but his wife told him that it was actually the van hitting the pole. They called 911 at that point, and then Wert went outside to help.

“The cops that I didn’t know were in the hollow, they yelled ‘Get back in the house!’” Wert said. The helicopter overhead was shining the floodlight on his house, and he was afraid police thought he was an accomplice.

Police units searched both the Wert house and their neighbor Bev Minich’s home, just in case there was an accomplice.

When police approached the van they were careful and slow, taking almost an hour, according to Wert.

Minich said that she had left her garage door open, so she didn’t know if Burgess had possibly fled inside of it, but otherwise felt safe and secure in her home.

“They came in with their armored vehicle and pulled behind it,” Wert said. “They were all reluctant to go to it ’cause they didn’t know if he was dead.”

Minich saw troopers drive onto the yard and surround the vehicle.

“They busted the glass (of the van) and shortly thereafter they removed the body on a stretcher,” Minich said.

The chase began at the bank just before 5 p.m., but Burgess fled onto Interstate 81 from there. He ended up leading police through Shippensburg, and then north toward Newville.

According to Pennsylvania State Police Capt. Steve Junkin, there was some confusion on whether he had an accomplice because Burgess changed his clothes at some point. Burgess stopped and drove into a corn field off of Ott and Clouse Roads, left his vehicle, covered it in corn stalks to hide it and that’s when police believe he changed. Police saw the covered vehicle and started to monitor it, just to be sure. Burgess noticed this, and that’s when he tried to flee again.

Wert said forensic crews were at his house and in the area until nearly 4:30 Tuesday morning, even though the scene had been cleared around 11 p.m. Monday.

Freed believed that police were correct in the amount of force that they used with Burgess throughout the chase. He considered Burgess “intent on getting away,” to the point where he was desperate and dangerous.

Although police haven’t had any official confirmation, Junkin said that there was evidence in the van that related to both the construction of the non-explosive device used in the bomb threat last week, as well as materials relating to Growing Tree Preschool itself.

Freed said investigators have found no clear motive for the robbery or the shooting.

“When someone robs a bank, it’s usually for money for drugs,” Freed said. “For him to do something like this, he had plans.”

Freed also stated that Burgess had a previous felony for a drug offense and because of that he was not allowed to possess a firearm. Investigators are looking into if Burgess is connected to any other incidents in Pennsylvania and in neighboring states, but currently have found nothing.

Minich said the most stressful part of the incident was the waiting.

“We didn’t see him, ‘Where is he’ The cops are down here, is he alive, is he dead?’ We were assuming he was dead,” Minich recalled. “The stress was waiting for the cop to come knock on our door and assure us that ‘it’s your place again.”

Wert said that before they knew Burgess was dead, he was concerned for the safety of his family.

“I wanted to hold the fort,” Wert said. “We were armed It happened so quick, so you just do as it comes and the main thing was protecting the house.”

Freed said that although there will be no charges filed due to Burgess’ death, they are still fully investigating the incident for connections to the area and motive.

SHIPPENSBURG -  Police are investigating a hit-and-run in the drive-through of the Shippensburg McDonald’s.

Police said Tyler Varner, 27, 124 S. Prince St., Shippensburg, was in the drive-through at McDonalds Sunday night when he rear-ended the vehicle in front of him, causing injury to the driver. Varner then backed up and struck the drive through window, damaging it.

He left the scene,  but a witness followed Varner and was able to obtain his vehicle’s registration number.

Police were able to find Varner at his home, where he was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for a blood test to determine his blood alcohol level. According to police, charges are pending against Varner for DUI and hit and run.

SHIPPENSBURG – A police officer responding to a noise complaint in Shippensburg was allegedly assaulted by a woman.

Shippensburg Police were dispatched to 113 E. Orange St. around 1 a.m. Wednesday for a noise complaint and found Kathaleen Dennis, 38, standing on a second floor deck yelling into a phone. Police said she yelled and cursed at police and refused to show identification.

Police allege she “aggressively lunged” toward a female officer, punched the officer just below the throat and kicked her twice.

The officer, who was not identified, sustained a hand injury and was treated and released at the hospital.

Dennis was jailed on charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

Another resident, Denise Martin, 28, was charged with disorderly conduct after police said she came outside and continued yelling, though police told her not to.

SHIPPENSBURG – Police are looking for the suspects in an assault Saturday that sent two people to the hospital.

Police were called to a report of an assault in the 200 block of East Fort Street around 1:45 a.m. Saturday.

Two men reported they were assaulted by two unknown males, who fled the area.

The victims told police that the suspects are associated with “the wrestling team,” but did not know them personally.

The two assault victims were taken by Shippensburg EMS to Chambersburg Hospital. Police did not release the severity of their injuries.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Shippensburg Police.

CHAMBERSBURG — A 70-year-old Shippensburg man was killed Saturday in a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 81 near Marion.

Vincent Patrick McNerney was pronounced dead after his 2003 GMC Envoy rolled over at 7:35 p.m. near mile marker 10 on southbound I-81, according to Pennsylvania State Police, Chambersburg. It came to rest on its roof.

He was wearing his seat belt, but no air bags deployed, police said.

His mother, Frances Senft Sterrett, 92, of Chambersburg was riding with him. She was taken to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, and was reported in stable condition after the crash.

SHIPPENSBURG TOWNSHIP– Cody P. Taft, 21, no location given, was issued a citation for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct on Sept. 29 at around 1:30 a.m. after he reportedly punched a mailbox on Middle Spring Avenue and was intoxicated, according to Pennsylvania State Police, Carlisle.

SHIPPENSBURG – A 25-year-old Shippensburg man is accused of having sex with a teenager over the course of a year.

William Ridley, 25, has been charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with someone less than 16 years old, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors, and indecent assault of someone less than 16 years old.

He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Adams and placed in Cumberland County Jail on $10,000 bail.

Shippensburg Police said the alleged incidents took place between May 2013 and April 2013. The girl was 13 at the time the alleged incidents started.

Police said Ridley was living at the victim’s house at the time.

SHIPPENSBURG – A Shippensburg woman faces multiple charges after allegedly kicking and punching a police officer in the groin.

Allison Bull, 22, of 221 1/2 E. King St., was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and criminal mischief following the incident early Wednesday.

Shippensburg Police said that Bull left 340 E. King St. after an argument with an ex-boyfriend and later returned with two other people.

She allegedly used a large cooler to break the glass out of two windows, according to police. When police arrived, she said she broke the windows because her ex-boyfriend put his hands on her.

Police said she had ample opportunity to contact them but instead decided to retaliate.

While the officer was talking with the ex-boyfriend, Bull tried to leave, according to police. She allegedly punched the officer in the groin and ran into King Street, nearly getting struck by a vehicle.

She was taken into custody but resisted getting into the vehicle and allegedly kicked the officer in the groin.

Tashawa Johnson, 28, 221 1/2 E. King St., who accompanied Bull back to 340 E.King St., was also charged with disorderly conduct in connection with the incident.

SHIPPENSBURG TOWNSHIP– Police charged a Shippensburg man with driving under the influence on Sept. 13 after a drive-through employee noticed he was “extremely intoxicated” and called cops, according to Pennsylvania State Police, Carlisle.

Dannie L. Stephenson, 50, Shippensburg was charged after police were notified by a Burger King employee around 5:38 p.m. that he appeared to be intoxicated and was behind the wheel of a vehicle ordering food, according to police.

When stopped by police, they determined he was under the influence of alcohol and he was transported to Cumberland County Central Processing Center for fingerprints and photograph processing, according to police.

SHIPPENSBURG — The Shippensburg Police Department has received a report of several repeated phone scams in Shippensburg.

Various businesses have reported receiving phone calls from individuals portraying themselves as representatives of Penelec, an electricity provider. Police report they are being advised that their electric bills are past due and that service will be turned off within hours if they do not make a payment.

The phone calls inform the individual to purchase cash or similar cards and to call them back with the numbers, according to police.

Residents are advised that nearly all legitimate utility providers will not ask for payment over the phone and in the event service is disconnected, a utility employee would almost always make a physical appearance at the location.

SHIPPENSBURG — The Shippensburg Fire Department has a new partner in its firefighting and fire prevention efforts — social media.

The department recently launched Facebook and Twitter pages to provide local residents with event news and photos and information on fire safety. The sites also are a way for community members to connect with the department and learn how they can volunteer.

The Facebook page is www.facebook.com/ShippensburgFireDept. The Twitter page is twitter.com/ShipFire.

“We think Facebook and Twitter will be great tools for us to let the community know what the department is doing, as well as to offer important information on fire safety throughout the year,” Chief Randy O’Donnell said.

“In addition, we’ll be sharing ways that local residents can get involved with one of our companies,” he said. “We are an all-volunteer department; we need individuals not only to serve as firefighters and fire police, but to help with such things as fund-raising, maintenance and other administrative tasks.”

A department website also is in the works.

The Shippensburg Fire Department includes Vigilant Hose Co., Cumberland Valley Hose Co. and West End Fire and Rescue. O’Donnell noted that the department’s social media presence will supplement, not replace, the three companies’ websites and Facebook pages.

By Carolyn Seibert-Drager, Staff Writer, The Slate

When was the last time you thought about what to do if a fire broke out in your home?

If you live on campus at Shippensburg University, you are reminded every month, when residence hall staffs conduct fire drills and health and safety inspections.

If you live off campus, it may have been a while. There likely was a fire drill at your high school during your senior year. As far as what to do if there is a fire, you may have been taught to “stop, drop and roll” or “stay low and go” by firefighters visiting your elementary school during Fire Prevention Week.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the vast majority of fatal fires in the United States involving college students occur off campus. Statistics from the national Center for Campus Fire Safety show that from January 2000 to July of this year, 83 campus-related fires caused a total of 120 student deaths. Of those fires, 70 occurred in off-campus housing, resulting in 101 deaths.

A chart of student fatalities due to campus-related fires and the location of students (Courtesy of Carolyn Seibert-Drager)

Six of the fatal fires since 2000 happened in university towns in Pennsylvania, including at three other Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools. In 2007, one student at Clarion University and one at East Stroudsburg University died in fires in off-campus housing. In 2000, three Bloomsburg University students were killed in a fraternity house fire, the second such fire there in six years; five Bloomsburg students died in a fire at another frat house in 1994.

The others were in off-campus housing at Penn State University (one student in 2006) and the University of Pittsburgh (one student each in 2006 and 2000).

Such fires often lead, either directly or indirectly, to changes in local, state or national regulations like building codes, rental housing requirements or university policies, according to Shippensburg Fire Department Chief Randy O’Donnell.

For example, PASSHE mandated the installation of sprinkler systems in all its campus housing after a January 2000 fire in a Seton Hall University freshman dormitory killed three students and injured more than 50 others. The dorm did not have sprinklers.

Pennsylvania building codes have evolved over the years and currently require that “all multi-family dwellings being built now must have sprinklers,” O’Donnell said.

There are smoke detector requirements for such housing as well; each bedroom in a unit or apartment must have a smoke detector, and all detectors in a unit must be interconnected.

Both Shippensburg Borough and Shippensburg Township, where most SU students living off campus reside, have rental property licensing and inspection requirements, as does Southampton Township, Franklin County. Southampton Township, Cumberland County, is considering adoption of such a requirement.

“All those things make a big difference,” O’Donnell said. In addition, many of the newer, larger rental housing developments in the Shippensburg area have staff on premises. “There often is maintenance staff there full time, watching over what goes on and checking for any potential fire or safety issues.”

It is crucial for students living off campus to be alert to problems as well, noted Jamie White, deputy chief of West End Fire and Rescue Co. in Shippensburg.

“The accountability of the occupants in a rental housing unit plays a big role not only in fire prevention, but when a fire occurs,” White said. “If there’s a delay in calling 911, or if someone hears an alarm but is complacent about it and thinks it’s no big deal, it can cause real problems for us.”

A fire in a multi-unit building “requires a lot of firefighters right away to get it under control. We literally have to search every room in the building,” O’Donnell added. “People need to remember that a fire or emergency in their apartment is going to affect every apartment in their building.”

By William Kauffman, News Editor/ The Slate

A number of incidents involving BB shootings on campus have the University Police looking for a suspect who could face charges ranging from criminal mischief to assault.

Near the beginning of the semester, a student was visiting a friend in McLean Hall, rolled into the hallway on an office chair and was shot in the right cheek by a BB. Before he could look to see what happened, he heard doors slam and no one was in sight.

That student required medical attention at Chambersburg Hospital due to the BB being lodged under his skin. The police conducted searches and interviews after the incident, but no suspect or weapon were located.

If a suspect was found in this case, he or she would at least face simple assault charges, according to Lt. Thomas Rumberger of the University Police.

BB guns collected by Shippensburg University Police. Photo by William Kauffman/The Slate.

Besides that, there have been a couple of incidents in recent weeks involving criminal mischief using BBs, according to Rumberger.

At McLean Hall, where the student was shot in the face, someone shot the glass front door with a BB, causing the window to shatter.

“The unfortunate thing about the glass door being shot at McLean is everyone in that building has to pay for that,” Rumberger said.

Also, during homecoming weekend, someone shot a window with a BB at Cora I. Grove Spiritual Center.

It is unknown if these incidents are related, but this is not the first time officers have dealt with students having BB guns and pistols on campus.

One concern is the gun being used in these incidents looking like a real pistol.

Rumberger pulled out a box full of confiscated items including at least 15 BB pistols that did not have orange tips on them, and looked like real pistols.

They were gathered over approximately a 10-year time period.

Rumberger mentioned that if one of them were pulled out on someone, especially at night, one would not question the authenticity of the gun.

This adds to the risk of the BB pistols being used to rob someone since it is hard to tell the difference.

Either way, they are dangerous to have on campus,and banned by the university’s policy. However, they are not illegal in the state of Pennsylvania.

He encouraged students to report to University Police if they see someone with a BB gun, or provide them with any information they may have on these recent incidents.

SHIPPENSBURG — Jeremy Fieni, 35, Chambersburg, was taken into custody on Nov. 5 after he began a fight with a Shippensburg man around 2:30 a.m. near the Ship Wreck building on W. King St, according to the Shippensburg Police Department.

According to police, Fieni had begun a fight with a Shippensburg man behind the Ship Wreck building.

The Shippensburg man had multiple lacerations on his face and EMS were called. Police searched the area for the individual but found no one.

Several moments later, police were called back to the area at the Turkey Hill for an active fight and they found Fieni had begun another fight with the Shippensburg man and a bystander had pinned Fieni against a wall.

Witnesses reported that there was no prior altercation, and that Fieni had come up behind the man, knocking him to the ground.

The Shippensburg man was transported to the hospital and Fieni was taken into custody for simple assault, public drunkenness, harassment and disorderly conduct, according to police.

SHIPPENSBURG >> Someone entered a vehicle parked on North Queen Street and stole a black Applaus guitar sometime between 9 p.m. on Thursday and 12:10 p.m. on Friday, according to Shippensburg Police.

Anyone with information may contact the Shippensburg Police Department at 532-7361 or email police@shippensburg.pa.us and callers may remain anonymous.

SHIPPENSBURG TOWNSHIP >> Six individuals were cited with underage drinking and one arrested for driving under the influence after Pennsylvania State Police, Carlisle pulled over a vehicle on Nov. 24 at North Prince Street and Eckle Avenue.

Katelyn M. Rineer, 18, Leola, was arrested for driving under the influence as the driver of the blue Honda Civic.

The other occupants of the vehicle were found to be highly intoxicated and they were cited for underage drinking.

These individuals were Andrew J. Eck, 19,  Ryan C. McGinley, 19, and Daniel P. Botley, 18, all from Reading, Brianna N. Martin, 19, Leola, and two 17-year-old females from Lititz.

SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP >> Larry Shipley, 36, Shippensburg, was charged with attempted theft, reckless endangering and criminal mischief after he reportedly tried to cut down a blue spruce pine tree out of the backyard of a home on Strohm Road on Friday, according to Pennsylvania State Police, Carlisle.

Police report the resident of the home heard a chain saw and went out to investigate. As Shipley was leaving, he almost struck the man and fled the scene but was located later by police.

Leon Young,  84, who was previously reported missing, was found safe and alive in West Virginia today, according to Pennsylvania Trooper Robert Hicks.

Police had previously reported that he had gone missing on Monday.

Police did not release any other information.

Previously reported:

SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP >> Pennsylvania State Police are searching for a Cumberland County man after family believes he was in a confused state of mind while leaving his home on Michael Court on Monday.

Leon W. Young, 84, was last seen leaving his residence in a white Buick Century and headed in an unknown direction, according to Pennsylvania State Police, Carlisle.

Young has Alzheimers and a pacemaker and is known to frequent Walmart, Lowes, the Select Diner, Weis, Burger King and Wendy’s in the Shippensburg area. Young has previously worked in the Carlisle area and lived in the Newville area so it may be possible he is there. He also has family in Union County.

Young also has a hearing aid and speaks quietly.

He is described as being 5 feet 10 inches with white/gray hair, brown eyes and wears glasses. When he went missing, he was wearing a dark blue button up long sleeve shirt and dark blue trousers, white sneakers, light blue jacket, a silver watch and gold wedding band.

Anyone with information may contact police at 249-2121.

SHIPPENSBURG – A Shippensburg man is charged with punching a Shippensburg Police officer.

Tyler McCalom, 22, 442 Cortland Circle, was charged with felony aggravated assault on police, simple assault, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and public drunkenness.

Police were dispatched to a report of an assault at 22 N. Earl St., Wednesday evening and found McCalom, who matched the description of the suspect.

Police said McCalom fled on foot and while trying to get away allegedly punched an officer twice, causing minor injuries to the officer’s face.

He was subdued with a Taser but allegedly continued to resist being handcuffed by officers in the middle of East King Street and Apple Avenue as vehicles were driving around them.

Police said McCalom had left a bar, jumped on the hoods of vehicles, and then approached a gathering of people at 22 N. Earl St., who were grilling food.

He allegedly tried to enter the home, and when confronted by a resident, picked up the metal lid to the grill and threatened her with it.

He allegedly spit on the woman and then fled, breaking a metal fence on the property.

When a bystander tried to detain him, McCalom allegedly punched him in the face, causing injury that required medical attention.

McCalom was placed in Cumberland County Jail on $20,000 bail.