Russell man charged with homicide following Monday shooting | News, Sports, Jobs

Times Observer photo by Heather Cathcart-Norris A Russell man faces a homicide charge following a shooting Monday evening at this location, 2 S. Main St., in Russell.

A Russell man is behind bars and has been charged with criminal homicide following a shooting in Russell Monday evening.

Mark E. Saullo, 62, 322 Gouldtown Road, was arraigned this morning by District Judge Laura Bauer and denied bail on the homicide charge.

Officers identify the victim as Keith R. Haskins, 55, of Russell.

A release from the Pennsylvania State Police says troopers were dispatched shortly before 9:30 p.m. to 2 S. Main St. for a report of a shooting. According to the probable cause affidavit, a witness told police he was outside the building and heard a gunshot, running into the store to find “Saullo holding a gun and Haskins holding his stomach.”

The witness told police that Saullo emptied the gun of ammunition and placed it on a desk at the scene. The witness then called 911.

A Conewango Township police officer arrested Saullo at 2 S. Main St. He was questioned by state police at the Starbrick barracks around 2 a.m. The affidavit alleges Saullo told police he had a physical and verbal altercation with Haskins on Saturday where “Both of them separated and everything was fine afterward.”

Saullo allegedly told police he wrote a letter saying Haskins was no longer allowed on his property. It appears this letter never reached Haskins, as Saullo later told police he had been called and informed that Haskins was “on his way to the store and had been arrested.”

Saullo claimed Haskins entered the store and demanded the title to a vehicle and a verbal altercation ensued.

“Saullo said he followed Haskins into the office where they continued to argue,” the affidavit states.

Once they arrived at the office, the affidavit says the men “continued to argue and began pushing and shoving each other.”

Saullo allegedly told police that Haskins pushed him in the neck and that Saullo told Haskins he was going to shoot him, walking to his office and retrieving a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol.

“Saullo indicated that Haskins allegedly hit him with the back of his hand and that’s when Saullo shot Haskins once,” the affidavit states. “Saullo said he then unloaded the gun, took out the magazine and separated the items.”

Troopers say Saullo told them he didn't help Haskins.

“Haskins subsequently died as a result of the gunshot fired by Saullo,” the affidavit states.

Online court records show Saullo was arraigned shortly after 9 a.m. Monday by District Judge Laura Bauer. Bail is not an option in criminal homicide cases. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 5.