Death Investigation in Sheppton: 67-Year-Old Man Faces Homicide, Assault Charges

A man is in custody on homicide charges for a death in East Union Township, Schuylkill County, on Saturday.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville, on Saturday, September 28th, 2024, around 8:00pm, Troopers from the Frackville Barracks were requested by East Union Township Police to assist with a death investigation of a 42-year-old male, which occurred in the morning hours of Saturday at 31 Franklin Street in Sheppton.

The report from State Police did not state what occurred but according to information relayed over Schuylkill County Dispatch, the Sheppton QRS was dispatched to this address for a shooting around 8:00pm on Saturday.

The Troop L - Major Case Team was activated and conducted an investigation into the incident.  As a result, 67-year-old John Gustites was taken into custody and charged with 3rd Degree Criminal Homicide, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, and simple assault.

Gustites was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge David Plachko and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison.

State Police say they were assisted at the scene by East Union Township Police, Mahanoy City Police, Frackville Borough Police, and the Shenandoah Police Department.

Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Al Barnes was also at the scene.

UPDATE: (3:43pm, Sunday, September 29th, 2024) - Statement from East Union Township Police Chief Chris Dimmick

On September 28th, 2024 at approximately 8:00 PM, East Union Township Police Chief Chris Dimmick was dispatched to 31 Franklin St in Sheppton for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival on scene, Chief Dimmick took the suspect 67-year-old John Gustites into custody pending an investigation. It was determined that the shooting took place earlier that morning at approximately 8:00am-9:00am Units later arrived from the Shenandoah Borough police and assisted with securing the scene. Upon a review of evidence and statements made by Gustites, the decision was made to activate the Pennsylvania State Police Troop L Major Case Team.

The East Union Township Police department extends their appreciation to the State Police for their support and hard work in this investigation.

This appears to be an isolated incident and the East Union Township Police ensure the community is safe.