A Schuylkill County man is accused of wielding a knife and injuring two people, including a minor, during a violent altercation that broke out as family members were retrieving mail over the weekend.
Police say Kyle Merenda, 31, of Barnesville, assaulted family members outside a residence after they arrived to retrieve a package and mail on Saturday. During the altercation, Merenda allegedly brandished a knife and swung it in a stabbing motion at a man and a juvenile, causing lacerations to both of their hands.
Following the struggle, police say Merenda fled inside the home and refused to exit a bedroom. When police commanded him to come out, Merenda reportedly responded, “No.” Because he failed to comply, police say a Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) was activated to respond to the scene and assist.
Victims and witnesses told police the incident began when several individuals walked down the street to the home to get mail. A verbal argument ensued and witnesses reported Merenda made statements that did not make sense and he was “talking crazy.” One witness told police Merenda appeared to be under the influence of drugs.
Police say Merenda attempted to grab a woman, but a man intervened by grabbing hold of him. A struggle followed, during which Merenda allegedly produced a knife with an approximate four-inch blade and a green rope handle. As Merenda swung the knife in an overhead, downward motion, one of the victims told police he grabbed the blade with his left hand to stop the attack. The man then struck Merenda in the head approximately two times with a closed fist, causing Merenda to drop the weapon.
One of the individuals secured the knife, and Merenda retreated into the house, police say. Both the man and the minor sustained lacerations to their hands during the struggle, which were photographed at the scene. Police subsequently recovered the knife.
Merenda was taken for medical treatment at St. Luke’s Hospital in Coaldale and then arraigned before Magisterial District Judge James Reiley early Sunday morning. Police have charged him with four felony counts of aggravated assault, misdemeanor counts of simple assault, possessing an instrument of crime, reckless endangerment, and resisting arrest, along with summary counts of harassment. Reiley set bail at $25,000 and remanded Merenda to Schuylkill County Prison. A preliminary hearing before Judge Edward Tarantelli is scheduled for May 6.
Schuylkill County Crisis & Support Resources
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence, free, confidential, and inclusive help is available 24/7 in Schuylkill County.
- Schuylkill Hope Center (Domestic Violence): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 622-6220, text HOPELINE to 20121, or visit schopecenter.org. Services include emergency shelter, housing assistance, counseling, and legal representation.
- SARCC (Sexual Assault): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 628-2965 or visit sarccheals.org for counseling, advocacy, and healing support for survivors of sexual violence.
- Outside Schuylkill County: Residents across Pennsylvania can find their local domestic violence program at pcadv.org. You can also visit domesticshelters.org to find resources near you.
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