1 in custody in relation to Newberry shooting
No arrests made in other shootings
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette SRT files into a home in the 2200 block of Lincoln Street during a standooff in Newberry on Wednesday afternoon.
Alleged gunman Bryce Zimmerman arriving at Williamsport Police Headquarters about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday after he surrendered, ending an hour-long standoff on Lincoln Street in Newberry. PHILIP A. HOLMES/Sun-Gazette
KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette SRT team convenes on Boyd Street in Newberry during a standoff on Wednesday afternon.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette SRT files into a home in the 2200 block of Lincoln Street during a standooff in Newberry on Wednesday afternoon.
Alleged gunman Bryce Zimmerman arriving at Williamsport Police Headquarters about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday after he surrendered, ending an hour-long standoff on Lincoln Street in Newberry. PHILIP A. HOLMES/Sun-Gazette
KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette SRT team convenes on Boyd Street in Newberry during a standoff on Wednesday afternon.
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During an argument with the home's landlord outside 2200 Lincoln Street just before noon Wednesday, Bryce Zimmerman went back inside and came out armed with a shotgun, city police said.
Zimmerman, 20, aimed the gun at the landlord, Bernie Jurkowski, and fired "a single shot into the ground," very close to the man's feet, Agent Aaron Levan alleged in an affidavit.
"This is your only warning shot," Zimmerman, who lives in the Lincoln Street home even though his name is not on the lease, told the landlord, Levan said.
Fearing for his life, Jurkowski quickly retreated and called 911 as Zimmerman went back in the house, the agent said.
The landlord told police he "was thankful that he wasn't laying on the ground," Levan said.
Numerous police officers rushed to the intersection of Lincoln and Howard streets and quickly cordoned off the area to motorists and pedestrians. An hour-long standoff ended peacefully about 1 p.m. when an unarmed Zimmerman exited the house within minutes after police were able to establish communication with him via cellphone, Levan said.
State police and sheriff deputies assisted at the scene. The city's Special Response Team also responded.
This was the third city shooting in five days, the second in little more than 13 hours.
Levan said the landlord came to his property to make some repairs, and was met with "an argumentative" Zimmerman.
Zimmerman was upset about Jurkowski "being there and not providing a sufficient amount of time for the occupants" prior to coming to the home to do the repairs, the agent said.
Once in custody, Zimmerman was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count each of terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, possession of an instrument of crime and simple assault. Following his 5 p.m. arraignment before District Judge Christian Frey, he was committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $200,000 bail.
A woman inside the Lincoln Street home during the standoff was taken into custody for questioning, but she was later released.
The shooting in the city's Newberry neighborhood came several hours after multiple shots were fired in the 700 block of West Fourth Street late Tuesday night.
"One (female) bystander was grazed by gunfire, but not injured," said Capt. Jason Bolt, who becomes the city's assistant police chief on Friday.
Witnesses reported that "numerous shots were fired in the area of the southeast corner of West Fourth and Campbell streets," Bolt said.
At least two bullets struck a building, shattering two windows. No arrest has been made in this case. A state police forensic unit assisted in collecting ballistics evidence. Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call Patrolman Christopher Salisbury at 570-327-7593.
These two shootings follow one that occurred early Saturday morning in the 1100 block of Isabella Street, where a gunman -- possibly two -- fired multiple shots into an occupied home about 2:10 a.m.., according to neighbors. No arrest has been made in this case either. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Agent Jeremy Brown at 570-327-7547.