NORTHERN CAMBRIA, Pa. – An Indiana County man faces charges for a shooting that wounded a teenager at a party Saturday in Northern Cambria, according to state police.
State police said Joshua James McKendrick, 21, of Cherry Tree, was brandishing a .40-caliber pistol “several times” during the party on Crawford Avenue.
State police said witnesses at the scene described the incident as an accidental shooting. McKendrick allegedly was angry about another person at the party who had abruptly left the residence, and at one point threatened to shoot her “right here, right now,” according to a criminal complaint.
“A verbal argument ensued with the (17-year-old male) and McKendrick over the gun being waved around and pointing it at several individuals,” state police wrote.
The teen attempted to grab the gun from McKendrick’s pocket, but McKendrick “prevented (him) from grabbing it,” resulting in the gun discharging, striking the victim in the leg, police added.
McKendrick fled the scene with the firearm, state police said in a release to media.
McKendrick was later taken into custody in Indiana County, state police wrote. He is facing one felony count of firearm not to be carried without a license and misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person and tampering with evidence.
McKendrick was interviewed by troopers and lodged in Cambria County Prison, state police said. His bail was set at 10% of $50,000, online court records show.
The injured teen was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.