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Crime & Safety

Man Stabbed Sister To Death, Injured Brother Over Barking Dogs In Eastern PA: Police

The man went upstairs to take a shower after the incident, officials said.

EAST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA — A man stabbed his sister to death and injured his brother inside an eastern Pennsylvania home this week over an argument involving loudly barking dogs, according to authorities.

The incident occurred in East Hemfield Township, about six miles west of Lancaster, on Monday, July 20 at around 10:34 p.m.

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Bryan Adolph, 26, became infuriated over the dogs inside their home on the 1100 block of Persimmon Drive, police said.

Adolph grabbed one of the dogs by the scruff of the neck and punched him in the nose, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office. Adolph's 28-year-old sister, Elyse Adolph, tried to intervene. Police said Adolph grabbed several small knives from a kitchen drawer and stabbed her at least 20 times.

He then smashed a glass plate over his 24-year-old brother's head and stabbed him several times, the DA said.

Adolph went upstairs to take a shower, but was confronted by his brother, who was armed with a gun, when he came back down. Authorities said Adolph then fled the home.

Elyse Adolph was found dead in a pool of blood when police arrived. His brother was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital for treatment of multiple stab wounds.

A massive coordinated manhunt was launched, with Pennsylvania State Police and Manheim Township police working with K-9s and aviation units to track Adolph down.

He was eventually captured without incident at 12:09 p.m. near the intersection of Route 30 and Good Drive.

Police said there is no danger to the public.

Adolph has been charged with criminal homicide and multiple counts of aggravated assault. Bail was denied and he was booked at Lancaster County Prison. He is first scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 4.

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