STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A 54-year-old Pike County man had his preliminary hearing on Wednesday after allegedly helping his son flee the scene of a shooting after he shot and killed 17-year-old Garrett Gearheart.
54-year-old Joseph Quattrochi allegedly helped 25-year-old Andrew Quattrochi flee the scene after he allegedly shot and killed Gearheart during an altercation.
Joseph Quattrochi is currently being held on Aggravated Assault (as an accomplice in the assault on the surviving victims) Riot, Reckless Endangerment (10 counts), Endangering the welfare of Children (for involving his minor son in a violent assault) Hindering the Apprehension of Another, and Tampering with Evidence. His bail is continued at $500,000.00.
17-year-old dead after shooting at Wawa in Monroe CountyA detective with Stroud Area Regional Police Department testified stating that Quattrochi arrived just before 8:00 p.m. with multiple family members and friends, including all three of his sons.
According to the release, there were a total of about 13 people traveling in five cars in this group.
Officials say that as the group was leaving the Wawa, two of the vehicles got into a "negative interaction" with three of the victims walking towards the Wawa.
All of the vehicles then left the parking lot to visit a deceased son of Quattrochi for the anniversary of his birthday, according to Monroe County District Attorney Mike Mancuso.
Mancuso states the vehicles then return to the Wawa with Joseph's son Andrew and three other males coordinate an attack on one of the boys knocking him to the ground.
Authorities say another group of four males enter the store and start beating up the lone male before Gearheart intervenes to help him, but is thrown to the ground and shot in the back by Andrew.
Investigators state that Joseph positions himself alongside Andrew while this is all happening.
The group the flees the scene, while Joseph waits for everyone to exit the store, fleeing in various vehicles, according to the release.
The release states that Andrew is in Joseph's truck fleeing, before texting a friend and stating that he “just shot and killed some kid.”
The investigation remains ongoing and could involve criminal charges against others involved in the attack.
The investigation remains ongoing and could involve criminal charges against others involved in the attack.