Butler County man accused of killing wife with hunting rifle

Police said a Butler County man shot and killed his wife Sunday night after he tried to commit suicide.

Investigators were called shortly after 9 p.m. to a home on East Slippery Rock Street in Chicora.

Joshua Crawford, 30, is facing charges of criminal homicide and aggravated assault.

Police said he shot his wife, 30-year-old Sarah Crawford, with a hunting rifle after she called him names, including “mama’s boy” and told him to shoot himself.

Officials said Joshua Crawford called 911.

“We went out for a domestic and very quickly realized one person was dead,” Pennsylvania State Trooper Jim Long said.

Joshua Crawford had tried to use the same rifle to commit suicide, but the gun did not go off, according to police.

Investigators said he shot his wife in the chest. The couple was married in September.

“It didn't have to happen that way. You don't shoot. You leave and calm down,” Paul Edwards, a neighbor, said.

Cox Media Group

Butler County man accused of killing wife with hunting rifle

Most Read

Johnny Gaudreau’s widow says she is expecting couple’s third child during eulogy

Penns Manor Area School District student, 14, accused of making bomb threat to high school

Leaders calling on DA to close South Side bar after officer breaks ankle trying to stop a fight

Non-credible threat on social media targeted 3 local school districts, officials say

Two planes collide at Atlanta airport on tarmac