Schranner

VENANGO TWP — A 54-year-old Boyers man is charged with attempted homicide after he fired a shotgun at his girlfriend Saturday night, police said.

James A. Schranner was arrested by state police after he fired at Marian K. Brewer after the couple got into a fight over a medical issue, according to the criminal complaint.

Brewer, who has dated Schranner for 27 years but never married him, said she tried to leave his home on Lake Clair Lane after Schranner became irate. When she got to her car, Schranner threw a knife at it, hitting the windshield, police said.

According to police, Schranner went inside the home and came out with a shotgun. He pointed the gun at Brewer while she was in the driver’s seat of the car and told her he was going to kill her.

Brewer told police she bent down behind the dashboard and heard a shot fired, according to the complaint.

Schranner then told Brewer he was going to come out shooting when police arrived so they would have to kill him, according to the complaint.

But when police did arrive, Schranner was arrested without incident.

Police reported apparent damage of a buckshot pellet to the vehicle and found a pellet on the ground.

A 12-gauge shotgun was recovered near the scene, while the knife was found inside the home.

Schranner later told police that he was upset with Brewer and fired a round into the air away from her. But when shown the damage to the vehicle, Schranner said he must have shot at her, the complaint states.

When police were preparing the charges, Schranner stated that he was going to shoot Brewer when he got home.

Schranner was arraigned Sunday morning before District Judge Kevin O’Donnell and sent to the Butler County Prison on $150,000 bail.

He is still in prison.

In addition to attempted homicide, Schranner faces charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault and harassment.

A preliminary hearing before District Judge Lewis Stoughton is set Nov. 5.