Man calls 911 to confess fatal New Year’s Eve shooting in Hempfield Township
HEMPFIELD TWP., PA — A man allegedly walked into his estranged wife’s home on New Year’s Eve and opened fire on another man before calmly calling 911 to confess the killing, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Just after nightfall on December 31, troopers were dispatched to a residence on Hugh Street after a 911 caller stated he had shot and killed someone inside the home. When troopers arrived, they found 30-year-old Robert Naugle of Greensburg outside the property, where he was immediately taken into custody.
Inside the home’s basement, police discovered the body of James Thomas, who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his torso. Investigators recovered a Glock 19 pistol near the scene and several spent shell casings close to the victim’s body.
According to the criminal complaint, Naugle allegedly told dispatchers, “I walked in on my wife with another man and I killed him.” In a subsequent interview with troopers, Naugle said he had been driving by the home when he saw a vehicle in the driveway. He entered through the basement and, upon seeing the victim inside, opened fire with roughly 10 rounds.
Troopers interviewed Naugle’s estranged wife, who told police the couple had separated and that Naugle had filed for divorce in November. She said he had moved out of the home several days prior to the incident.
Naugle has been charged with criminal homicide and is being held without bail at the Westmoreland County Prison. The case remains under active investigation.
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Key Points
- Robert Naugle, 30, was arrested on New Year’s Eve after allegedly shooting a man in his estranged wife’s home
- The victim, James Thomas, was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the basement of a Hugh Street residence
- Naugle was charged with criminal homicide and is being held without bail in Westmoreland County Prison
