Mother killed, son shot by masked men during home invasion in Washington County
A woman was shot and killed, and her son was wounded during an overnight home invasion in Washington County, Pennsylvania State Police said. The victim was identified as 37-year-old Renee Gill.
Police rushed to the scene on Eleanor Street around 1:15 a.m. in Smith Township, near Burgettstown.
State police said multiple men entered the home uninvited and got into an argument with Gill. The suspects were wearing masks and all black clothing, according to investigators.
Gill's son, who is in his early 20s, came to help her; however, during the fight, one of the suspects pulled out a weapon and shot them both, state police said.
Did victims and suspects know each other?
Authorities are trying to determine if there is a connection between the victims and suspects.
"There has to be some sort of connection there," Trooper Rocco Gagliardi, of Pennsylvania State Police, said. "Whether it's a relative or something in the prior history or a work relation – that's sort of the top podium of questions. They had to have known this residence and the people inside in some capacity."
The suspects ran before police got to the scene. Investigators are trying to track down how the men made their getaway.
Paramedics treated Gill at the scene, but she died, state police said. Gill's son was rushed to the hospital for treatment. He is expected to recover from his injuries.
Calls from victims gave "good intel," police said
"We had a lot of good intel because both she and her son called into the police," Gagliardi said. "So she was still somewhat able to talk and communicate with the phone call and the operator, which gave us real good insight into, maybe, things in the background [of the phone call]."
County dispatchers told KDKA-TV that they were planning to use a medical helicopter, but couldn't take off due to the weather at the time of the call.
Gill's younger son was also in the house at the time of the incident but was not hurt.
Neighbors shaken by shooting
Ernest Westerhoff Sr. lives down the street and knew the family. He believes the shooting wasn't random.
"I'm crushed more than anything," he said. "I just don't know man, I'm lost."
State police said there is no danger to the public.
