Shaler Shooting: Woman Ambushes Estranged Husband, Then Kills Herself
A Shaler shooting has left a woman dead and her estranged husband hospitalized in what police say was an attempted murder-suicide brought on by an acrimonious divorce.
The incident happened this week in Shaler Township, Pennsylvania, outside of Pittsburgh. Police said the 43-year-old woman, Sharon DeMore, waited on the porch of the man’s apartment building and then shot him when he walked outside to go to work.
Neighbors say they heard a confrontation, followed by several gunshots.
“I heard three gunshots — they were like very distinct gunshots — then, 30 seconds later, a fourth shot,” neighbor Cheryl Morece said.
The final shot was DeMore committing suicide, witnesses indicated.
“I could hear a man laying on the ground saying he was shot in the chest,” said another neighbor, who did not want to be identified. “He was saying, ‘She shot me, she shot me,’ and then they walked up on the porch, and I guess she was laying there and the gun was laying next to her. I heard the officer say the gun is laying right here next to her.”
Police said the Shaler shooting victim may have been saved by a quick response from police.
“They might have saved his life by getting here that quickly… within minutes,” said Assistant Superintendent James Morton of the Allegheny County police.
Family members said Sharon DeMore snapped from the pressures of her divorce from the victim.
“She was just having a lot of hardships since her divorce. She just got very sad,” said DeMore’s aunt, Beverly Pfab.
Sgt. Scott Scherer of the Allegheny County police would not give a motive, but said the couple had a history of domestic violence.
“She had gone through a recent divorce and was having some financial problems,” Scherer said.
The woman had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in 2001, and in May had a claim for $1,961.94 filed against her by Discover Bank.
The victim in the Shaler shooting was identified by police only as “Kenny.” He was listed in critical condition on Sunday.
