Nazareth Resident Plugs a Few Stockertown Homes

Morganelli and Officer Schwab

Nazareth resident Timothy Frey, age 61, was charged yesterday with shooting up a Stockertown home while target shooting in June at the Stockertown Rod and Gun Club. Shooting a weapon into an occupied home is a  third degree felony with a maximum penalty of seven years and a $15,000 fine.He's also been charged with two counts of recklessly endangering another person, a second degree misdemeanor carrying a maximum sentence of  two years and a $5,000 fine. Magisterial District Judge John Capobianco set bail at $25,000, unsecured, and a preliminary hearing has been set for September 6.

These charges stem from a complaint first made from David Gava on June 21, who claimed that a 9mm caliber bullet had hit his home. That was followed by a second complaint from Stephanie Branning, who told police that the previous day, a stray 9mm round had hit her garbage cans.

Stockertown Police Officer Eric Schwab, along with County Detective Gerard  Walsh, began an investigation and noticed numerous 9mm rounds at the gun club, along with a live round. Thanks to a security camera installed by the gun club after a previous investigation, investigators reviewed footage revealing that someone, later identified as Frey, was shooting outside of the designated shooting area. He also appeared to be bump-firing his ASR rifle, which simulates automatic fire.

Forensic testing by the Pennsylvania State Police reveal that the rounds found at the Gava and Branning homes came from Frey's rifle.  

Frey has also been banned from the Stockertown Rod and Gun Club. Morganelli commended the club for installing the security camera, which led police to Frey. He also complimented the thorough police work from Officer Schwab and Detective Walsh, and recognized the investigative journalism done previously by formerWFMZ reporter Hillary Lane.