West Hempfield man waives hearing in double‑fatal shooting case
West Hempfield Township, PA – A man accused of fatally shooting his estranged wife and sister-in-law and seriously wounding his son during an argument inside his home has waived his preliminary hearing, allowing the case to move to county court.
Police say the shooting occurred on the evening of Oct. 5 at a residence in the 2100 block of Oak Hollow Drive, where 64‑year‑old Santiago Payano‑Sanchez allegedly opened fire during a dispute that had unfolded over the course of the weekend. According to investigators, he retrieved a handgun from his waistband around 5 p.m. and shot his 33‑year‑old son in the stomach before shooting two other family members.
The victims were identified as 59‑year‑old Ana Gutierrez‑Cedano and 74‑year‑old Dominga Cedano‑Cedano. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Payano‑Sanchez’s son survived after emergency surgery and remains in stable condition at a local hospital.
Two children, ages 2 and 7, were also inside the home but were unharmed.
Police said Payano‑Sanchez called family members after the shooting to apologize. Responding officers initially requested a Special Emergency Response Team due to reports of a barricaded gunman, though Payano‑Sanchez surrendered before the team deployed.
Investigators reported that the firearm used in the shootings was legally owned and that Payano‑Sanchez possessed a concealed carry permit.
He waived his preliminary hearing Monday before Judge Miles Bixler. Payano‑Sanchez is charged with two counts of criminal homicide, attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, and possession of an instrument of crime. He remains held without bail in Lancaster County Prison.
Det. Sgt. Robert Bradfield filed the charges. Assistant District Attorney Jessica Collo is assigned to prosecute the case. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- Santiago Payano‑Sanchez waived his hearing in a case involving two deaths and one injury
- His estranged wife and sister‑in‑law were killed and his son was seriously wounded
- The legally owned firearm was recovered and Payano‑Sanchez remains jailed without bail