Police: Neighbors' Dispute Prompts Deadly Double Shooting In Delaware County
RIDLEY, Pa. (CBS) - Police believe a feud between neighbors in Ridley Township, Delaware County triggered an early morning shooting that left a man dead and his stepdaughter wounded.
The incident took place at about 6:15 a.m. Monday in the 900 block of Sylvania Avenue.
Police say 72-year-old Jim Dellavecchia shot his neighbor, 42-year-old Scott Robins, four times as he and a friend left his house for work on Monday morning. Police say Robins' stepdaughter, 23-year-old Kristen Snow, heard the commotion and ran outside and was also wounded, allegedly by Dellavecchia.
"It doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense to just lose it to that extent," said neighbor John Hoffman.
Robins and Snow were both taken to Crozer Chester Medical Center. Robins died a couple hours later and Snow, who suffered a single gunshot wound, underwent emergency surgery and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
"He was a great guy, loved to fish. He'd always bring me over fish," recalled Hoffman.
Authorities believe an ongoing "neighborly dispute" prompted the shooting. Investigators say they've been called by both parties to their homes several times over the past few months.
Neighbors say the dispute was over a new shed Robins was building.
According to police, Dellavecchia appeared from out of nowhere while Robbins was getting into his work truck and opened fire, right in front of Robbins' coworker, 23-year-old Richard Wallace, who was in the passenger's seat.
"He was able to get out of the van, hide underneath the van while the shots were being fired," said Lt. Scott Willoughby of the Ridley Township Police Department.
Dellavecchia was arrested a short time later at his home just around the corner from the shooting scene. He was later hospitalized after police say he intentionally ran into a door at the police station. He suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized in critical condition.
The incident remains under investigation.
Reported by Jericka Duncan, CBS 3; Al Novack, KYW Newsradio
