Woman accused of killing West Sunbury man says he assaulted her, fundraiser launched for deceased’s family
A Hilliards woman arrested Monday, March 20, in the fatal shooting of a West Sunbury man said he physically assaulted her at her home in Venango Township earlier that day.
Jessica L. Callahan, 19, was charged with felony criminal homicide and placed in Butler County Prison without bail. She is accused of shooting Tyler J. Whitlatch, 31, in the back, state police said Tuesday.
Police said after she shot Whitlatch at her Venango Township home she transported him to the North Washington Rodeo grounds, where he died from the wound, according to William F. Young III, Butler County coroner.
Callahan was interviewed by officers at the Butler barracks. She said a physical altercation between herself and Whitlatch began at her home that afternoon.
Callahan told police Whitlatch shoved her into a dresser during the altercation. Police said Callahan recalled retreating to the living room, where she said Whitlatch grabbed her by the throat. Callahan told police she then grabbed a 12-gauge shotgun from behind a couch and left the residence.
Callahan told police that Whitlatch followed her outside and walked onto Kohlmeyer Road. Callahan told police she fired a shot into the air, then fired a second shot at Whitlatch, which struck him in the back. Callahan had earlier told dispatchers she had fired a “warning shot.”
Jody Humes-Roenigk, who identified herself as Whitlatch’s mother on social media, defended Whitlatch.
“My son was not a violent person and would never hit or grab a female,” Humes-Roenigk wrote in a message to the Eagle.
“(Whitlatch) had a family and a little boy who loved him so much, and we are all at such a loss right now. We need everyone who loved (him) to pull together right now and help him be able to rest peacefully,” wrote Amber Holton, who started the fundraiser. “Nobody should have to go through losing someone to a murder.”
Those wanting to donate to Whitlatch’s family can do so by finding “Tyler Whitlatch’s Funeral Expenses” on gofundme.com.
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