Shooting may be drug related
Butler police are investigating whether gunfire at an apartment in the 300 block of East Walnut Street late Friday night could be drug related.
“There have been complaints of suspected drug activity in the past at that residence,” police Capt. David Dalcamo said this morning.
But a motive, he admitted, remains unclear.
Meanwhile, police are seeking the whereabouts of 57-year-old Timothy J. Crawford, the only listed tenant at the apartment, which is above a garage.
Dalcamo said police do not consider Crawford a suspect in the investigation.
“We want to make sure he’s OK,” Dalcamo said. “Right now we think he’s just a victim.”
Police do not know if Crawford was home shortly before 11 p.m. Friday when 14 gunshots were fired at the front of the home. Crawford has lived at the apartment since at least 2011, police said.
Investigators believe there was more than one gunman involved. Dalcamo declined to say if police have any suspects.
He said the shooting was “isolated and targeted.” Police believe the shots were fired from 30 to 40 yards away.
The shots struck the apartment and garage but most of the gunfire was concentrated on the apartment.
“Numerous rounds were recovered inside the apartment,” Dalcamo said. He would not identify the caliber or calibers of the rounds.
The slugs were found during a warrant search of the apartment. No drugs were turned up in the search, police said.
Investigators said they also found a small amount of fresh blood inside the apartment, indicating someone was hit in the gunfire.
Dalcamo said police checked with hospitals to find out if anyone with gunshot wounds sought treatment, but there were no reports.
Police said they continue to interview neighbors, other possible witnesses or anyone with knowledge of the crime. Dalcamo said there is no surveillance video of the shooting.
Anyone with information is to call 724-287-7743.
