EAST COVENTRY — An 89-year-old woman was killed and a 90-year-old man injured when both were shot inside the Manatawny Manor Nursing Home Thursday, according to Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe.
What he described as a “murder-attempted suicide” occurred between 10:30 and 11 a.m. The district attorney, who did not yet release the names of those involved, said the 90-year-old male is “hospitalized with a gunshot wound.”
He said he did not yet know the condition of the man.
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“This is an active investigation. We’re not going to be releasing a tremendous amount of detail today,” he said during an afternoon press conference. “No one else in the facility was hurt, other than the two people I’ve described so far.”
The district attorney declined to say whether there was a relationship between the two people involved. Asked directly if it was a man and wife, he paused and replied, “I’d rather not say at this point in the investigation.”
However, the alleged shooter was known to staff and visited the facility often.
The DA confirmed there was another patient in the room when the shooting took place, but said that person was not injured.
Asked about security, de Barrena-Sarobe replied, “There are no laws in Pennsylvania that prevent a person with a legally registered firearm from coming into a facility like this.”
He added that authorities do not yet know if the gun used in the shooting was properly registered and to whom.
All affected family members have been notified, he said.
“I want to make sure everyone knows in this community, that everyone is safe, this is an isolated incident,” de Barrena-Sarobe told reporters outside the facility. “The nursing home has done everything within their power, and made available all its resources to staff members, to people who are living in the facility.”
Inside, things appeared normal other than the receptionist answering a steady stream of calls from worried friends and family.
“Your mother is fine,” she said more than once Thursday afternoon.
Mark Kessler, the executive director of Manatawny Manor, said the residents and staff were still in a state of shock.
“Obviously, a tragedy like this is deeply saddening, but fortunately it was an isolated incident,” Kessler said. “Those affected directly, whether resident or staff, are getting the support they need.”
Asked if he anticipated any change to the security procedures at the facility, Kessler replied “I think we’re going to want to wait until the investigation is completed before we make any changes. Our first priority is services for our residents and our staff. Our hearts go out to the families that are affected by this incident.”
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
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