Police: Shooter who killed two in Upper Southampton may have acted in self-defense
Preliminary evidence suggests an unidentified Bucks County man was acting in self-defense when he shot and killed two men and injured a third outside a popular Upper Southampton bar late Friday night, according to police.
The police investigation into the fatal shooting is continuing and no decision on criminal charges is expected until later this week, lead investigator Upper Southampton Detective James Schirmer said on Monday.
Autopsy results released Tuesday show that Steven A. Panebianco, 30, of Bensalem, sustained gunshot wounds to the right thigh and torso and Raymond A. Farrell IV, 28, of Philadelphia, sustained "multiple" gunshot wounds.
The Bucks County Coroner's Office listed the manner of death as homicide, noting those deaths are classified as at the hands of another person.
Triple shooting leaves two deadUpper Southampton bar shooting leaves two dead, one injured
Surveillance video of the parking lot for the Steam Food and Pub in the 600 block of Second Street Pike captured the entire incident and clearly shows what happened prior to the shooting, which occurred around 11:30 p.m., Schirmer said.
The video shows a confrontation that escalated into a physical assault and culminated in gunshots, Schirmer said. He declined to say if the alleged shooter was injured.
Authorities have not identified the 24-year-old man who was also shot and injured in the incident, but he is no longer hospitalized, Schirmer said. Police have not yet interviewed the man, who is recovering, he added.
The name of the alleged shooter, who 21-years-old, has also not been released. The man called 911 and identified himself as the shooter and remained on scene until police arrived. He has been cooperating with investigators, according to police.
At least five to six bullets were fired in the shooting and Panebianco and Farrell were each shot more than once, according to police. The Bucks County District Attorney confirmed the shooter has a valid permit to carry a firearm. A firearm was recovered at the scene.
Steam is a train station theme building that is a popular bar and restaurant that features music acts and a DJ on most weekend nights and typically draws a crowd.
The business is located within a strip shopping center that also includes a paint store, hair salon and furniture store, which share a parking lot.
A sign posted on the front door of the bar stated it will remain closed until Wednesday.
Schirmer added that police are aware of rumors circulating on social media about the shooting and many of them are not accurate.
"Once the investigation is complete there will be a press release to dispel as many of them as we can," he added.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Upper Southampton Township Police Department at 215-364-5000, ext. 115.
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This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Upper South police say altercation preceded double fatal shooting
