John Frew Kills Daughter After Wife, Son Are Shot and Killed
A father shot and killed his daughter and her husband after they opened fire on his wife and son killing both of them.
The investigation into Friday's shootings is still ongoing after John Frew was forced to shoot his daughter Josephine and her husband Jeffrey Ruckinger. Investigators have stated they believe this was planned, but are still not certain what led to the confrontation.
''They parked at the bottom of a long driveway, and walked up, heavily armed,'' said Cambria County District Attorney Kelly Callihan during a press conference.
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Josephine Ruckinger was armed with a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun and her husband had a Derringer pistol and a .22-caliber semi-automatic handgun as they approached the Frew family home in Ashville, about 40 miles southwest of State College, according to investigators.
John Frew, his wife Roberta, and their son John Jr., 47, were home watching TV in the living room of the white mobile home when there was a knock at the door, authorities said.
Police revealed that Roberta, 64, answered the door, and shouted something to the effect of ''Oh my God, they have guns!'' before she was shot by her daughter.
John Jr. was then shot by Jeffrey Ruckinger multiple times in the chest, killing him, police said.
The elder Frew, 67, got a .22 caliber revolver and emerged from a back bedroom and engaged both assailants, killing them.
Reports indicate that Frew did not recognize his daughter and was told the identity of the victim when he was being questioned by police.
Police said John Frew was not hurt during the confrontation.
Callihan said that the preliminary investigation suggests that the Frew and his family's murder were pre-planned. Police also found a can of gas and lighter fluid in the Ruckingers' car. Investigators added that Ballistics and toxicology tests are pending.
