April Shooting Incident in Watsontown Results in Arrest of 19-Year-Old

SUNBURY — An incident that took place in Watsontown in April led to a state trooper being injured and a 19-year-old suspect now facing multiple charges, including attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer.

Hunter Shaheen, a resident of East 4th Street in Watsontown, has been charged with two felony counts of attempted homicide, an additional felony aggravated assault charge, and drug offenses.

According to authorities, Shaheen allegedly shot at a state trooper during the incident, resulting in a non-life-threatening leg wound for the officer.

The shooting occurred when the trooper and a Watsontown Borough police officer were responding to a reported domestic dispute. Upon arriving at Shaheen’s home on East 4th Street, they were informed by a relative that the teenager was involved in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend and had left the residence on foot, armed with a firearm.

During their search for Shaheen, Watsontown Police discovered that he possessed a .44 caliber handgun and had multiple firearm cases in his bedroom.

Unable to locate Shaheen, local authorities requested assistance from the state police. Eventually, Shaheen was found in Delaware Township, Northumberland County, near the intersection of 8th Street Drive and Merrill Drive.

When police approached Shaheen, he fled to an adjacent field while allegedly holding a handgun. Witnesses reported hearing law enforcement instruct Shaheen to drop the firearm, but he instead fired several rounds at the trooper. One of the rounds struck the trooper in the upper leg.

In response, the trooper returned fire, hitting Shaheen and causing him to fall to the ground. The injured trooper then sought safety in his vehicle to tend to his own wound.

Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Matulewicz has cleared the trooper of any wrongdoing in the shooting.

Hunter Shaheen is currently being held without bail and is scheduled to stand trial in 2024.