Posted on 12/30/2020 6:06:37 AM PST by marktwain
Attempted Murder at Pennsylvania Gun Range Stopped by Armed Samaritan, image from goerie.com
On 22 December 2020, at about 2:08 p.m. at the State Game Lands Shooting Range 109, in Erie County, Pennsylvania, a highly unusual attack and defensive shooting occurred.
The shooting range is located in a densely wooded area. There are nine shooting points; three for pistols with a 25-yard range, and six for rifles, with a 100-yard range. Tuesday was dull and dreary with a westerly wind of 14 mph. Before noon it had been overcast with light rain. By two p.m, the sun was occasionally peeking through the clouds. It was cool and cloudy at 39 degrees F.
Satellite view of Erie County Game Lands Shooting Range 109 from Google maps, cropped and scaled by Dean Weingarten
Two young couples had arrived in separate vehicles. One of the two young men had recently purchased a pistol. The two young men and two young women reportedly took turns shooting the pistol, at the range.
There was an Armed Samaritan on one of the other two pistol firing points. He observed what was happening, and quickly acted. He shot Robert Epply to prevent further attacks and to stop the shooting of the 28-year-old.
Three people were at the rifle portion of the range. They heard the shooting but did not see the events as they happened.
Eppley was declared dead at the range at 3:11 p.m. From goerie.com:
In Robert Epply's obituary, it was said his fiancee is pregnant with his unborn daughter.
He attempted to kill a male friend who was close to both of them.
Men do crazy, stupid things, if they feel betrayed by their women.
I must admit that I’ve felt a bit uneasy during my several visits to gun ranges.I felt the same way during marksmanship training during BCT...there might be someone who’s had enough of the Army and wants to make that known.
“I must admit that I’ve felt a bit uneasy during my several visits to gun ranges.”
Indoor ranges always have a few bullet holes in places where there shouldn’t be any (back and side walls, ceiling, etc.). That is scary. I always feel better if I have the place to myself.
Things like this and negligent discharges make me very happy to have a private range
Eppley served in the Marine Corps.
Story says he shot the other guy ‘multiple times’ where he was treated and released from the hospital the same night. And he was standing about 10 feet from Eppley.
I’m brand new to shooting, but that just doesn’t smell right.
I miss Law & Order. They used to take stuff likethis and use them as intros for episodes.
Of course, then they would change things to create a good episode, but it was always interesting seeing news events.
Hmmm. Well I wonder what the paternity test will show for that unborn child...
I’d say if he decided to kill his long time friend that perhaps it will show his friend is the father not him.
Ditto.
I go early in the morning on weekdays - mostly experienced shooters at those times. Weekends - it's a much higher risk.
Story says he shot the other guy ‘multiple times’ where he was treated and released from the hospital the same night. And he was standing about 10 feet from Eppley.
I’m brand new to shooting, but that just doesn’t smell right.
Most people, even Marines, are terrible pistol shots.
In stress, many people miss entirely at close ranges.
all depends on caliber, cartridge type and shot placement.
Most of the time that I practice, I shoot on a friends private farm land, or at local slate dumps from the 40s-50s-60s that have been unused for generations {except for target shooters}.
I have almost always been able to shoot alone or with people I personally know and trust.
Public shooting ranges make me a bit wary, and if you can't concentrate you are not practicing, you are wasting ammo and time.
I can not afford to waste either.
Sounds like this is turning into a typical Maury Povich show.
It seems part of the human condition.
To me, it is worse that Robert Epply had served as a Marine.
I have a soft spot in my heart for Marines.
Murders at ranges are extremely rare events.
Domestic disputes are a common reason for violence.
I respectfully disagree. Although it’s uncomfortable practicing in public, unfamiliar ranges is the closest to real-use scenarios a shooter can get. It’s heightened-awareness training with target practice. IMO a pretty good match for a real self defense situation.
Well could be something else... but based on what little info is offered that would be first assumption I would go on.
You don’t decide to kill you life long friend, let alone in such a public setting, without something pretty passionate at its core.
Turning a gun on someone at a place where most folks are also armed isn’t exactly a plan of a well thought out plan.
I wonder why the Coroner ruled Eppley’s death a homicide.
Hmmm. Well I wonder what the paternity test will show for that unborn child...
I’d say if he decided to kill his long time friend that perhaps it will show his friend is the father not him.
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