A family dispute escalated into violence on New Year’s Day in Penn Hills as a grandmother reportedly shot her grandson multiple times. Debora Morton, the grandmother in question, was arrested after the incident that unfolded in her home on Saylong Drive, according to a WPXI report. The altercation began with an argument and resulted in Morton allegedly firing at her grandson, who was found injured in a neighboring yard and taken to the hospital in critical but stable condition.
The Penn Hills Police were called to the scene just before 9 a.m., with Morton herself notifying the authorities of the shooting. Based on details from the police, Morton overheard her grandson in an intense argument, prompting her to secure a firearm from her bedroom and subsequently engage the grandson as he approached her. In a statement reported by WPXI, Morton said she was threatened and that her grandson announced intentions to "tear you up," leading to her decision to shoot him.
Further details from CBS News Pittsburgh’s coverage of the incident indicate that Morton told police she had an active protection from abuse order against her grandson. The reported altercation stemmed from the grandson demanding his bracelet and threatening to damage the house, which then escalated as Morton fired three shots at him, with one hitting him in the stomach and another grazing his hip. Charges against Morton include attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and possession of a weapon.
Penn Hills Police Chief Ronald Como noted in the WPXI interview that while the victim made threats, they were "very vague." He also disclosed that a modified Protection From Abuse (PFA) order allowed the presence of the victim and his brother in the home despite their history of aggressive and destructive behavior. As the investigation continues, the question of self-defense is being considered in consultation with the District Attorney's Office concerning the charges against Morton.
