BUTLER CO., Pa. (EYT) — Butler-based State Police say a Chicora man has been charged in a fatal shooting that occurred Sunday night at his residence in Donegal Township, Butler County.

According to online court documents, Butler-based State Police filed criminal charges against 30-year-old Joshua Paladin Crawford, of Chicora.

Police say around 9:09 p.m., at a residence located at 405 East Slippery Rock Road, 30-year-old Joshua Crawford, of Chicora, got into a verbal argument with his wife, 30-year-old Sarah Crawford, also of Chicora. Joshua Crawford was in the process of leaving his residence to get out of the situation.

According to a court documents obtained by KDKA, “When Crawford’s wife allegedly called him several names, including a ‘mama’s boy,’ Crawford said he was going to shoot himself. He went to the kitchen and grabbed his hunting rifle that he had planned on using to hunt with Monday morning. (He) took the loaded gun, put it under his chin, and pulled the trigger, but the gun didn’t fire.”

“After re-seating the loaded magazine, police say Crawford told them his wife Sarah was yelling at him to shoot himself. (Crawford) then lowered the rifle to his side, pointed it at Sarah, and pulled the trigger,” court documents state.

Crawford called Butler State Police and was arrested early Monday morning.

He was arraigned at 4:00 a.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Lewis E. Stoughton on the following first-degree felony charges:

– Criminal Homicide
– Aggravated Assault

According to court documents, bail was denied since this is a criminal homicide case.

Crawford remains lodged in the Butler County Jail awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on December 20 with Judge Stoughton presiding.