Masontown Homicide Suspect Walks To Police Station, Surrenders Just After Shooting
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MASONTOWN (KDKA) - A Fayette County man, accused of gunning down another man in front of one of his children, reportedly turned himself into police just after the shooting.
The incident took place at a home in the 300 block of Peach Street around 10 p.m. Monday.
The suspect, Christopher Shellhammer, is accused of shooting Mike Henrick, a father of three children.
Henrick's wife is devastated.
"I don't understand why you had to shoot him so many times. Why you had to take him away from me," said Kelly French, the victim's wife. "He was the most amazing father. He was a really good friend. He was my husband, and we spent seven years together."
Police say Shellhammer walked into the home Henrick and French share in Masontown and opened fire. Henrick was killed in the gunfire, and one of the couple's children was nearly hit as she watched the entire incident unfold.
"She's seen too much, so I think she's just trying to wrap her head around everything. I tell her all the time, if she needs anything just ask me," said French.
Police say Shellhammer walked from the murder scene straight to the Masontown Police station and admitted to the killing. Investigators say he only told them he was set up.
For now, French and her family are trying to endure and find strength for the children in the memory of the man she calls the love of her life.
"The fact that I have three little ones that are going to need me to be strong," French said.
Shellhammer is being held in the Fayette County Jail without bond.
He is facing a list of charges including, criminal homicide, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person.
