A Pennsylvania man died after his roommate allegedly shot him during an argument about their living situation.
Christopher Euard, 52, is in jail after police say he fatally shot his roommate, Timothy Pirraglia, whose age was not provided. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the local Courier Express news website, police responded to a call to a residence in the gated Treasure Lake community in DuBois, in the state’s central region, early on June 7.
Euard called the police, claiming that he got into a fight with his roommate and killed him.
According to the affidavit, police arrived and met Euard outside the house, where he was immediately taken into custody. Pirraglia died of a single shotgun wound to the chest inside his home.
Euard reportedly told police that he and Pirraglia had been arguing about their living situation for several weeks prior to their final confrontation. Euard stated the night before that he had a verbal argument with Pirraglia when he returned home from work. According to the affidavit, the confrontation escalated, with Pirraglia striking Euard with his fists and “push[ing] his head into a corner.”
The two men went to separate rooms to “cool down.” Euard told police that 35 minutes after they parted ways, Pirraglia said he was leaving and had already packed a backpack with his belongings. Euard then took his AR-15-style rifle from his bedroom.
McClatchy News also obtained the affidavit and reported on the alleged conversation between the two men, which was overheard by a third, unnamed roommate who was questioned by police. According to the affidavit, he told police that after the men traded insults, Pirraglia said, “Do it. “You are not going to do it.”
That statement was allegedly followed by the sound of one gunshot.
When the other roommate confronted Euard, the suspect allegedly responded, “He’s down.”
The roommate said, “What do you mean he’s down?”
Euard said, “You know what happened.”
The roommate told police he then left the house.
Euard told police that it took him several hours to report the shooting because he had “passed out.”
Euard was charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and recklessly endangering another person. He is being held in the Clearfield County Jail without bail. His next court appearance is set for Friday.
