Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Pottsville Man Allegedly Shoots Man Attempting to Enter Home; Investigation Ongoing

Pottsville Police have released additional information in regard to Tuesday's shooting that left one man dead on East Norwegian Street.

According to Pottsville Chief of Police John Morrow, on Tuesday July 4th, 2023, at approximately 8:14am, The Pottsville Bureau of Police were dispatched to 427 E. Norwegian St in reference to a person being shot. 

While responding to this location, officers were made aware by the caller, 30-year-old Patrick McGuinness, that he shot a person who was attempting to enter his residence. Officers contacted McGuinness, who surrendered without incident and was taken into custody in the 400 block of East Norwegian St in front of his home.

McGuinness and other witnesses were later interviewed regarding the circumstances of the shooting and during the course of the investigation, police recovered a Marlin lever action 30-30 hunting rifle, which McGuinness admitted to being the one he used to shoot the individual in his home.

Officers also confirmed through interviews that McGuinness did not have legal permission to possess a firearm. 

Due to the fact McGuinness was not allowed to legally possess a firearm in the State of Pennsylvania, and, the circumstances of the shooting are continuing to be investigated, with additional interviews and lab testing forthcoming, 

McGuinness was charged with one felony count of persons not to possess firearms and arraigned by District Justice James Reiley. 

McGuinness was released after posting bail.

As of Wednesday morning, the identity of the man that was shot was not made available.  He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Schuylkill County Coroner's Office.

Chief Morrow said on Tuesday that the Pennsylvania State Police Forensic Unit and City Detectives were working together to process the scene.