Man sentenced for shooting brother on Christmas Eve
A Butler man was sentenced Wednesday, July 30, for shooting his brother in the groin on Christmas Eve in Butler Township.
Logan F. Rapsinski, 23, was sentenced in Butler County Common Pleas Court to six months of confinement followed by 42 months of probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.
According to township police, the shooting occurred at around 10:19 p.m. Dec. 24. Officers found Rapsinski’s then 27-year-old brother, Lee, laying on the ground at 122 Crosslands Road with a gunshot wound to his groin.
Lee Rapsinski told police that Logan Rapsinski had recently left their residence in an agitated state, and the family contacted Butler County Crisis services for assistance. After driving around and finding him, Lee told police he approached his brother, Logan.
According to police, Logan Rapsinski then pulled out a handgun, loaded a round and shot Lee Rapsinski.
Logan Rapsinski fled before police arrived, but officers located him a short distance away and took him into custody after he called 911. Police said they recovered a Smith & Wesson .380 semiautomatic pistol from the ground near Logan Rapsinski.
Logan Rapsinski told police that his brother approached him on Crosslands Road and threatened to beat him up. Lee Rapsinski was not armed and had nothing in his hands at the time, police said.
According to police, Lee Rapsinski asked, “Are you going to shoot me?” before Logan Rapsinski fired a round.
Lee Rapsinski was transported to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh for his injury.
Logan Rapsinski was given credit for having served 194 days in the county jail. He has been free on nonmonetary bail since June 25.
