Fight in Beaver Falls leads to shooting on Fourth of July, man shot multiple times
Two people were hospitalized over the weekend after a fight led to a shooting in the City of Beaver Falls.
According to information provided to KDKA-TV, just after 10 p.m. on the Fourth of July, police were called to the 300 block of 12th Street for a reported shooting.
Hundreds of people were in the intersection and along the street enjoying a fireworks display. Everybody was having a good time until the explosion of fireworks was replaced with the explosion of gunfire.
Remnants of the fireworks celebration remained on Monday, when residents gathered.
"Everyone was calm, everyone was having a good time," resident Joshua McKelvey explained.
Everything changed in the blink of an eye.
"It was chaotic, a real crazy night."
According to Beaver Falls police, Jaden Stull, 20, threw a high-powered firework into a group of children. The blast stunned the kids, prompting 47-year-old George Smith, who was standing nearby, to grab the fleeing Stull.
"I would have done the same thing. Tell him, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, don't be doing that. What's wrong with you?'" McKelvey said.
Instead of saying sorry, Stull allegedly pulled out a gun, shooting Smith several times in the shoulder and leg. Investigators say Stull accidentally shot himself in the hand as well.
"My sister was terrified, so we all went into the house," McKelvey said.
A few minutes later, McKelvey heard someone on the sidewalk in front of his home.
"Next thing you know, a guy comes up her past the porch, [saying] 'I got shot, I got shot, I got wounded,'" McKelvey explained.
That person, Stull, allegedly fled the scene in a car found abandoned at 9th and 3rd Avenue.
George Smith was taken to Heritage Valley Hospital. KDKA-TV spoke with Smith's brother off-camera. He said Smith is going to be okay.
While checking on Smith, police found Stull at the same hospital, who, detectives say, admitted to shooting Smith. Stull also allegedly told investigators that he bought the firearm from someone on the street.
Both Stull and the victim are in stable condition, according to police.
Stull is now facing charges of aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, firearms violations, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.
"People need to grow up and be more mature and quit acting like kids," McKelvey said.
