Alleged Child Abuser, Out On Bail, Shoots Into Victim's Residence

DOWNINGTOWN, PA -- A suspect out on bail in a child sex abuse case shot six times into the home of the child on Sunday, according to the Chester County District Attorney's Office.

Douglas Kohen, 63, of the 200 block of West Uwchlan Avenue in Downingtown, had originally been arrested on January 7 for allegedly abusing a the young daughter of his neighbor, according to the DA.

Kohen was freed after posting 10 percent of $25,000 bail. Then in the early morning hours Sunday, he took his gun and fired several shots into the neighbor's home, a trailer, where he lives with the victim and another child under the age of 10.

It was about 3:10 a.m. when Kohen emptied six rounds from a .357 caliber revolver through the window and back walls of the residence, narrowly missing the children and the man in the trailer, who immediately called 911.

Police were able to quickly mobilize and captured Kohen within hours in West Goshen.

"The Downingtown Police Department responded rapidly and professionally," said Acting Chief Howard Holland. "By putting flash information out about the defendant and his vehicle, he was taken off the street within hours of the attack."

Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan believed it was a case of witness intimidation.

"We are not going to permit witness intimidation in Chester County, especially where children are involved," Hogan said. "It was only by dumb luck that this defendant did not kill a child."

Kohen is now being held on bail of $1,000,000.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact Detective Andy Trautmann at 610-269-0263.