Donora resident charged in fatal shooting of alleged home invader

A Donora man is accused of fatally shooting a man who police said forced entry into the defendant’s home early Thursday morning.

Bryan Harris, 23, is charged with criminal homicide in the death of Brandon Harrison, 34, of Masontown.

State police also have charged Harris with tampering with evidence and a felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Armed with a search warrant, police say they searched the defendant’s home in the 400 block of Sixth Street. Police said they seized 1,000 packets of suspected heroin, a container of suspected marijuana and packaging materials along with a Glock 40-caliber pistol, two other firearms, rounds of ammunition and 40-caliber casings.

Police said in court documents that Harrison and two other men allegedly entered the home by force and attempted to confront Harris shortly after 1:30 a.m.

Harris fired multiple rounds, striking Harrison, police said.

The homeowner called 911, and Harrison was taken by ambulance to Donora Elementary Center, where a medical helicopter was ready to take him to the hospital, according to Washington County Coroner Timothy Warco.

Harrison died in the ambulance and was pronounced dead shortly after 3 a.m.

State police said Harris admitted to Donora police that he hid the weapon he’d fired under a mattress and put the casings in a shoe in the home’s entryway.

Harris was arraigned and placed in the Washington County jail without bail, according to Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone. A preliminary hearing is set for Wednesday.

State police are continuing their investigation. They ask anyone with information about the case to contact them at 724-929-6262.