Accident, Maryland

From the Cumberland Times-News of December 5, 2006

Fatal domestic incident act of self-defense

Police said that the fatal shooting of an Indiana County, Pa., man early Sunday in Accident apparently was the result of self-defense.

Lt. J.D. Murphy of the Garrett Bureau of Investigation said that 29-year-old David Wayne Lancaster of Saltsburg died at Garrett Memorial Hospital in Oakland after he was shot three times with a .22-caliber handgun fired by Norris Rush, 52.

The shooting occurred at 4:31 a.m. in the kitchen of the Rush residence on Friendsville Road after Lancaster grabbed a butcher knife and inflicted a deep wound to Rush’s hand. Rush then discharged the handgun at close range, striking the victim in the stomach and chest.

Rush reportedly declined medical treatment at the scene.

Police said Billie Jo Zimmerman was also present at the time of the shooting and that all three people appeared to be “extremely intoxicated.” Lancaster, Rush and Zimmerman were said to be friends.

Zimmerman was not injured.

Police said there was no record of prior domestic complaints at the Rush residence.

Maryland State Police responded to the scene and following preliminary investigation, the case was forwarded to GBI.

The incident remains under investigation.

From the Oakland Republican of December 14, 2006

Domestic Related Shooting Still Under Investigation By Police

The recent shooting death of David Wayne Lancaster, 29, Saltsburg, Pa., is still under investigation, and has not been ruled self-defense as previously reported.

Police responded to a residence on Accident Friendsville Road Dec. 3 for a domestic-related shooting. Further investigation revealed that Lancaster had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body. He was transported by Northern Rescue Squad to Garrett County Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:31 a.m. His body was transported to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Baltimore for an autopsy.

According to police, witnesses have been interviewed, and the investigation is continuing.

"I am satisfied this investigation is being handled by trained, experienced police officers," said Lisa Thayer Welch, state's attorney for Garrett County. "When all evidence has been collected and reviewed, appropriate action will be taken. The analysis of forensic evidence can take weeks so it is premature for any conclusions to be made."

From Baltimore’s WJZ.com of October 12, 2007

Man Charged With Murder In Garrett Shooting

Authorities in Garrett County have made an arrest in a fatal shooting they initially considered to be a case of self-defense.

The sheriff's office says 51-year-old Norris Rush of Accident is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting at his home last December that killed 29-year-old David Lancaster.

Rush was arrested Thursday after State's Attorney Lisa Thayer Welch reviewed evidence and filed criminal charges. Bond was set at $50,000.

Police reports soon after the shooting said Rush shot Lancaster with a handgun after Lancaster stabbed Rush's hand with a butcher knife.