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Police said an investigation into an early Saturday morning murder-homicide in Nanty Glo Borough is ongoing, with search warrants executed for the alleged shooter’s vehicle and the two homes where the shootings occurred.
Police still have not released or confirmed several details about the case, including a motive, but search warrants reveal the type of weapons used by the alleged shooter Paul Hoover, 43, to kill Harry Ondriezek Jr., also 43, and himself.
Three search warrants were filed Saturday with Magisterial District Judge Mary Ann Zanghi’s office in Mineral Point.
The documents confirm that Hoover’s estranged wife, also Ondriezek’s girlfriend, was at Ondriezek’s Chestnut Street home when the first shooting occurred.
Police said Hoover drove his silver Kia Sorrento to Ondriezek’s home just before 1:30 a.m.
Hoover, a corrections officer employed at the State Correctional Institution at Pine Grove in Indiana County, apparently entered the home through a back door with a rifle and opened fire, police said.
Two of Hoover’s family members told the Mirror Saturday afternoon that police identified Hoover so quickly because his estranged wife was with Ondriezek when he was shot.
Police confirmed in the search warrant that she told police Hoover “barged into” the home and starting shooting.
She was able to flee the home and call 911 from a neighbor’s house, police said. It’s unclear whether Hoover also intended to shoot her.
The search warrant said the woman told police she saw Hoover flee the home. She then returned with a neighbor and confirmed that Ondriezek appeared to be dead, police said.
Officials said Ondriezek died instantly from a bullet wound to the head and that several rounds had been fired.
According to a search warrant, Jackson and Cambria Township police officers arrived at Hoover’s Lloyd Street home about 2:16 a.m. and found Hoover lying down in his front yard.
He apparently told officers “everything was taken care of,” before placing a handgun under his chin and pulling the trigger. Hoover died at the scene, officials said.
Cambria County Deputy Coroner Jeff Lees said Saturday the two guns used in the shootings were taken from Hoover’s home as evidence.
Police also searched Hoover’s vehicle and Ondriezek’s home for evidence including weapons, ammunition and casings.
As the investigation continues, state police at Ebensburg directed further questions about the incident to District Attorney Kelly Callihan’s office.
Mirror Staff Writer Kelly Cernetich is at 946-7520.