Shenandoah man shot, killed during burglary
SHENANDOAH - Bruce Lee Forker sent a text message to his sister-in-law, Debbie Leso, at midnight Tuesday making plans to visit.
At 3:30 a.m., the 24-year-old man was pronounced dead in his home by Deputy Coroner Andrew Szczyglak.
"I just heard from him last night," said Leso, Mahanoy City. "He was supposed to come over, but he said Kasa (Brennan, Forker's fiancee) was too tired and they would come over tomorrow."
According to police, two men forced their way into Forker's 333 E. Centre St. home about 2:20 a.m. to rob the residence.
During the robbery, they shot and killed Forker.
Police said one of the assailants is described as a dark-skinned male. No information has been released about the other perpetrator.
Forker resided at the home with his fiancee, Kasa Brennan, and two children, a 5-year-old girl and a 1 1/2-month-old girl, all of whom were home at the time.
Forker's sister, Ginni Forker, said authorities told her someone broke into the home, took money from Forker and shot him with the others present about 2:30 a.m.
"Two perpetrators arrived at the home at 333 E. Centre St. in the early morning hours," Lt. Thomas McDaniels, Troop L Crime Section commander, said about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. "At this point, we are not releasing much information, but we are working on different leads. We do not know the motive at this point and can only say the home was forcibly entered and the father of two was accosted and tragically murdered," McDaniels said.
He said some of the information gathered during an investigation of the home was being withheld to draw out the perpetrators.
"Certain things have been discovered that only the perpetrators would know," he said.
Originally, police were looking for a dark-colored Dodge Neon, but that search was called off when new information was received.
At the scene, Brennan only said that state police questioned her extensively about the incident.
State and Shenandoah police and the Schuylkill County district attorney's office are aiding in the investigation and were on scene until late afternoon Tuesday.
The 300 block of East Centre Street was blocked to traffic throughout the day and neighbors were told to stay inside their homes.
Heather Yotko, 237 E. Centre St., said she doesn't allow her children to go to the park a block away because she doesn't think the area is safe.
"This used to be the quiet part of Shenandoah. I moved my mother here, and then my sister, so we could all be close," she said. "It isn't quiet anymore."
Forker was one of 15 children, many of whom rushed to the scene to support each other.
"He was a very good father and he provided for his family," Ginni Forker said.
She said most of the family was together last weekend.
"I'm glad we could all be together," she said.
"He was a very good guy, a great family man with a good sense of humor," said another sister, Jody Forker.
The family said Forker was not working at the time, but did odd jobs and construction work.
Family members said Brennan works as a nurse's aide at Broad Mountain Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Frackville.
"They just got their income tax money and were planning a trip to Disney," Leso said. "They told me they were calling the travel agent this week."
Officials are asking for the public's help to apprehend the suspects in this crime and are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest.
Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Frackville at 874-5300 or PA Crimestoppers anonymously at 800-4PA-TIPS.
"We want to thank the public for all the help they have always given us, and we believe that if anyone has seen anything or knows anything, they will come forward," McDaniels said.
Forker's family is urging anyone with information about the crime to call state police.
Copyright ©2012 The News Item | 707 N. Rock St. | Shamokin, PA 17872 | (570) 644-6397
Privacy Policy | Opinion Posting Policy | About our ads | Questions or comments? Contact Us
1 posted comments