KNOWLTON, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- A Pennsylvania man accused of fatally shooting his friend's wife at their New Jersey home died in police custody after suffering a medical episode Monday night, authorities said.
Armond Avitable, 38, of East Strousburg, Pennsylvania, was picked up by his friend following a domestic dispute with an unidentified woman and at about 6 p.m., they arrived at his home on Columbia Street in Knowlton, officials said.
Avitable, his friend and his friend's wife, Cheryl Schilling, 58, began to argue and Avitable became "agitated and aggressive," prosecutor's said.
According to police, Avitable grabbed a shotgun, prompting the Schillings to head to an upstairs bedroom and close the door. Avitable then followed them into the room where he shot Cheryl twice, striking her once in the arm and once in the torso.
Officers were called to the home just before 8 p.m. and Cheryl was pronounced dead at the scene.
Avitable left the firearm behind and fled the home, running toward the intersection of Interstate 80 and Route 46, where he was confronted by state troopers, resulting in a physical altercation, officials said.
He was taken into custody and suffered a medical episode and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died, according to police.
The shooting remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Warren County Prosecutor's Office at 908-475-6275.
