Norristown Man Kills Father With 20 Shots, Then Shoots Child: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA -- A Norristown man shot his father at least 20 times Wednesday, killing him, and then turned his weapon on a child who happened to be riding his scooter nearby, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

The incident occurred on Oct. 24 at around 3:59 p.m. at the suspect's apartment on the 600 block of East Airy Street, authorities said.

Steven Quadrel, 24, was involved in an argument with his father, Mark Quadrel, 58, of New Jersey, after the father arrived unannounced, according to an affidavit of probable cause. It's not clear what sparked the disagreement.

At some point during the quarrel, the younger Quadrel left the apartment and went outside to his truck, returning shortly with a 9 mm Beretta pistol with a laser pointer affixed to it, the affidavit said.

Quadrel then began reeling off round after round into his father's back and head, shooting him "20 to 30 times," police estimated.

Once his father was dead, Quadrel ran from the apartment and came upon a 12-year-old child on Sandy Street, authorities said. The child passed him riding a scooter.

Quadrel later told police that the sight of the child "creeped him out" and that he turned and fired one shot at the boy, the affidavit states. The boy was struck in the hand and treated at Einstein Hospital.

A neighbor who heard gunshots came out and saw Quadrel with the gun. When the neighbor told Quadrel to drop it, he did, according to the affidavit. Quadrel was arrested when police arrived at the scene.

He faces charges of first degree murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and possession of an instrument of crime. Bail was not offered and he was taken to Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 9.

Patch file photo