Schuylkill County Man Charged with Murder in Death of Son

A Schuylkill County man is in prison today after police say he admitted to killing his son on Saturday morning.

According to court papers filed by State Police-Frackville, John F. Gustites, 67, allegedly shot his son, John A. Gustites, 42, Saturday morning during an argument over the family vehicle. The incident happened at their home in Sheppton, East Union Township.

Gustites said he awoke at about 8:30 a.m. to his son chasing a cat around his bedroom. He said he went into his son’s bedroom to retrieve the cat and that’s when the argument over the vehicle began. 

After leaving his son’s bedroom with the cat, Gustites said he took it to his bedroom and then grabbed his gun, a .357 Magnum, and went back to his son’s room. 

The altercation continued over the vehicle and Gustites told police that his son grabbed a screwdriver that was in a hole in his bed post. John A. Gustites allegedly approached his father with the screwdriver. 

Gustites allegedly said that he doesn’t remember shooting his son but when he did, he immediately knew that he was dead. Police say the son was shot in the face.

Police were not called until about 8 p.m. that night. Gustites said he didn’t notify emergency services because he had thoughts of killing himself. However, he said he spent the rest of the day watching a religious video and ultimately did call police. 

Gustites was arraigned before District Magistrate David Plachko over the weekend and remanded to Schuylkill County Prison. 

Police have charged him with third-degree murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and simple assault. A Preliminary Hearing before District Magistrate Anthony Kilker is scheduled for Oct. 10.