On December 12, 2021, at approximately 2:26 am, the Frankin Police Department received a call to 279 Carls Road, Rockland Township, in Venango County, Pennsylvania, for a reported shooting.
Peter Spencer, a 26-year-old Jamaica native, residing in the Highland Park area of Pittsburgh, PA, since 2013, was found lying on the front lawn of the rural residence deceased of apparent gunshot wounds to his body. Franklin Police Department detained the suspect, a 25-year-old white male, and three identified individuals for questioning. Several firearms and controlled substances were confiscated from the home. Subsequently, authorities released all parties pending further investigation noted in the police report.
THE FACTS WE KNOW ARE:
- Peter Spencer was invited by his old coworker to hang out at a cabin in Venango County.
- Three other individuals that Spencer did not know were present at the cabin.
- The 25 year old ex-coworker admitted to shooting Spencer in self-defense, but investigators did not detail these claims.
- According to the 2021 U.S. Census Bureau Venango County has a population of 49,602, 0.7% being Black/African American.
- The shooting suspect and three identified individuals were questioned then later released.
- The case which is being classified as a homicide is being investigated by the Troop E Major Case Team.
- Peter Spencer’s autopsy shows a total of 9 bullet wonds to the chest, backside and neck.
- None of the identified individuals including the suspect have been formally charged.
“The Venango County coroner found that Spencer had been shot a total of nine times. Well-known pathologist Cyril Wecht, who is advising the family, studied the autopsy and believes many of the bullets entered Spencer’s body from behind.” “My initial thought is that it’s absurd to talk about self-defense with nine gunshot wounds,” Wecht told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Dr. Cyril Wecht also told The Washington Post, “There are nine shots fired beyond 24 inches of distance, or what we call long-distance shots,” “It’s like looking at someone who got hunted down, which is absolutely horrifying.”
PETER SPENCER’S FATHER HAD THIS TO SAY
The autopsy concluded on December 14, 2021, but investigators await toxicology reports and laboratory results which can take up to six weeks. Venango County District Attorney D. Shawn White asks the public to have patience. At the same time, Pennsylvania State Police’s Western Heritage Affairs Liaison, Officer Corporal Aaron Allen, said this is not being looked at as a hate crime, sparking community outrage.
“Peter Spencer was a positive person, not perfect, but he would help where he could,” he left behind family, friends, and a fiance pregnant with their first child together.
The family and public seak justice, and we, for one, hope that they get that!
Our prayers go out to this young man, his family, friends, and fiance.
