PA Man Shot Father In Argument Over Broken Weed Trimmer: Reports

SOMERSET COUNTY, PA — A Pennsylvania man is facing multiple charges after authorities said he shot his father in the stomach during an argument over lawn equipment, according to police and multiple reports citing arrest documents.

Authorities charged Mason Shawn Jack, 20, of Boswell with two felony counts of aggravated assault following the Oct. 11 dispute in Jenner Township, Pennsylvania State Police said in a release. He was also charged with simple assault and harassment, police said.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by WJAC-TV, Jack told state police he and his 47-year-old father were cleaning out the garage of a relative's home when the pair started arguing about lawn equipment, specifically a weed trimmer that was not working.

Jack told police he left and went home, but his father followed him, causing the argument to escalate, according to a PennLive.com report.

Authorities said a physical fight ensued where both men pulled guns on the other, according to reports. During the struggle, Jack told police they both dropped their weapons and he lost his glasses before Jack went into another room and grabbed a .357 magnum revolver, WJAC reported.

Authorities said Jack returned to the room where his father was, reports said. Because he lost his glasses, Jack told police he thought his father was searching for a gun when he fired a single shot, striking his father in the stomach, according to state police.

The father was taken to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, police said. His current condition is unknown.

Jack is being held at the Somerset County Jail on $50,000 bail, reports said. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, according to police.