Handling of complaints under review
State police to probe actions leading to fatal shooting
Trending
CLEARFIELD -- Pennsylvania State Police will review how authorities handled complaints by a
21-year-old woman in the days and weeks before she and her mother were fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend, a prosecutor said Friday.
Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. issued a press release late Friday afternoon to shed more light on the legal issues of Cody Bush prior to last week's murder of the two women in Osceola Mills and his suicide.
While Shaw defended how the case was handled, he also said Friday that he had not prejudged anything and that, under the circumstances, it was appropriate for the case to be reviewed.
"Three people are deceased, and it is critical to verify that all policies and procedures were followed," Shaw stated.
State police responded to reports of a domestic incident and gunshots about 7:30 a.m. Nov. 24, at a Curtin Street residence in Osceola Mills, he said. Upon arrival, officers discovered three victims had been shot. Officers began an immediate search for the suspect, identified as
26-year-old Bush.
Chief Deputy Coroner Kim Shaffer identified the shooting victims as Victoria Schultz, 21, and her mother, Beth Schultz, 47. A third shooting victim, identified as Jessica Schultz, 25, was taken to UPMC Altoona for treatment.
At about 11:30 a.m. the same day, officers located the remains of Cody Bush along Route 53, outside of Osceola Mills. Bush had suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, Shaw said.
At the time of the shooting, Bush was free on $25,000 bail for a misdemeanor charge of stalking and a summary charge of harassment. It was a condition of his bail that he not have any contact with Victoria.
These charges stemmed from the discovery of a GPS tracking device on Victoria's car. After a preliminary hearing on Nov. 8, the charges were sent on to the Court of Common Pleas.
At about 8:30 a.m. Nov. 22, state police responded to Victoria's address for a reported harassment incident involving Bush and Victoria. Earlier reports indicating that Bush was charged then with harassment were misleading, police said.
Shaw clarified: "Although the citation had been prepared and forwarded to the magistrate's office, the citation was not officially filed." Shaw further explained that Bush could not have been incarcerated at that time because bail is not set when summary citations are issued.
Shaw further explained that, when a violation of a no-contact order occurs, police are not permitted to simply have the offender placed in jail. Constitutional requirements guarantee that due process is provided to criminal defendants and the law requires notice and a hearing before a judge.
While at the residence on Nov. 22, the police encouraged Victoria to apply for a protection-from-abuse order, and she was granted a temporary PFA later that day.
Bush was served with the PFA at noon on Thanksgiving Day by troopers who verified that Bush did not have any firearms in his possession.
Shaw reported that an investigation is ongoing to determine where Bush obtained the firearm used in the shooting. Preliminary reports indicate that it was stolen from a residence in Ginter.
Shaw said these horrific tragedies are unacceptable and noted increased efforts need to be made to prevent the senseless loss of life.
Citizens are understandably enraged that this type of conduct can occur in the community, he said, and he encouraged everyone to contact their local legislators to advocate for stricter laws in domestic abuse cases, such as the authority to immediately detain someone suspected of violating a no-contact order or similar bail condition.