Shots Fired After Man Doesn't Cover CoughsShots fired at Pa. Sheetz after man coughs, doesn’t cover mouth amid coronavirus epidemic: report Updated 3:34 PM; Today 3:21 PM
By John Luciew | jluciew@pennlive.com
Amid the coronavirus, a mere uncovered cough can trigger gunfire.
As WJAC-TV reports, it happened at a Sheetz on Broad Street in Johnstown, where one man was allegedly outside the store and coughing -- but not covering his mouth. A second man complained to the coughing man about the coronavirus and told him to cover his mouth. This CDC-approved health advice apparently didn’t go over well. According to police, further words were exchanged outside the Sheetz, and the coughing man eventually got a handgun and fired at the other man’s car.
Details from WJAC-TV:
Johnstown police say 53-year-old William Sauro told them he saw Guillermo Alvarez, 56, walking through the Sheetz parking lot “coughing and not covering.” Sauro says he advised Alvarez to cover his mouth when he coughed due to “the virus going around,” according to the complaint. Instead, Sauro tells cops his comment led to an altercation culminating when Alvarez pulled out a pistol and fired a round into Sauro’s windshield that lodged in the speedometer, according to police. Alvarez then fired several more rounds into the front driver side tire, police say.
WJAC-TV reports bystander video and surveillance images of the incident also show Sauro allegedly hitting Alvarez with his vehicle before the latter pulled his gun and began firing. Police say Alvarez lacked a concealed carry permit for the weapon. Both men have since been charged with aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person in the incident from Saturday, WJAC reports.
Meanwhile, the county DA is using the case as a cautionary tale to calm tempers and ease nerves in order to prevent a bigger danger than the coronavirus, itself. Cambria County District Attorney Greg Neugebauer told this to WJAC-TV: “We are living in trying and uncertain times right now, and everyone needs to exercise patience with one another and not resort to violence.”
