A Derry Township woman was killed Monday when she was struck by a bullet apparently fired from outside her home, according to Trooper Steve Limani.
State police are investigating the death of 52-year-old Tracy Marie Squib as a homicide.
“It appears … that the gunshot came from outside the house, penetrated into the house and struck this woman,” he said. “We’re dealing with a very unusual set of circumstances.”
A relative called 911 at 4 a.m. to report that Squib had been shot in the chest. She was in bed at her Pandora Road home at the time, Limani said. Three others were inside sleeping.
She was taken by ambulance to Excela Health Latrobe Hospital, where she died, Westmoreland County Deputy Coroner Joshua Zappone said.
“Right now, we’re working very hard to try and figure out and put the pieces together of what transpired here at this residence,” Limani said.
Pastor Jason Losier, of Grace Bible Academy in Derry, where Squib worked for 15 years, described her as hard working and fun. Squib started out as the school’s kindergarten teacher, but eventually switched to teaching third and fourth grade. She also planned the prom each year and was an activities director during the school’s summer camp.
“With Tracy, you knew she was in the building or on the property well before you saw her because her laugh was very distinct and very loud and infectious,” Losier said. “I have no idea how she can be replaced in any way as a friend, as a staff member, as a church member, as a mother. She can’t be replaced.”
The Squibs, according to Losier, are well known in the community and sell Christmas trees during the winter and corn during the summer.
A neighbor, who identified himself only as “Fred,” added, “They’re good people, always help me out with some work around the house.”
Squib has a 17-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son.
According to Losier, both children asked him to say, “Our mom is the best mom in the world.”
Troopers worked through much of the day Monday inside the home and outside along the rural road. Limani asked anyone who lives or has a business in the area who may have noticed something suspicious between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. to contact state police.
“Please contact us with anything you might think is out of the ordinary or unusual,” he said.
No arrests had been made. Limani would not say if police believe Squib was targeted. He declined to say where the bullet hole was found on the house.
“It appears for certain that this bullet resonated from outside the residence and penetrated inside the residence, subsequently striking Tracy,” he said. “Unfortunately, that location of where it struck her ended up being fatal.”
He urged anyone with information to report it to police at 724-832-3288.
“I hope and pray that they get to the bottom of this and find out what happened,” Losier said.
