Shenango Township police are asking residents for help tracking down two men investigators say tried to kill a driver after a roadside dispute turned violent. The gunfire erupted on July 18, 2025, on New Butler Road (U.S. Route 422) near Hoover Road in Shenango Township, according to authorities. Detectives have labeled the episode an attempted killing of the motorist and say the case is still very much alive as they carry the investigation into this year.
Investigators have identified two men they believe were involved: 26-year-old Jonathan Joseph Krueger, of the 1700 block of North Beaver Street, and 28-year-old Ian Tyler Smith, of the 1100 block of Cunningham Avenue. Police say the pair opened fire on a vehicle after a dispute, as reported by New Castle News. The department says the investigation has stretched roughly eight months while detectives sifted through evidence and chased down tips. No arrests were reported, and police are urging anyone with information to reach out.
Police search and public tips
Authorities are appealing to neighbors and regular drivers along the New Butler Road corridor to come forward with anything they might have seen that could help identify the men. Investigators say even seemingly minor details, such as a partial license plate, a social media post, or something a neighbor noticed, can be enough to break open a case that has lingered this long. Residents are being warned not to confront anyone they suspect and to contact law enforcement instead if they have information.
Statewide context
Gun violence and shooting investigations continue to command attention for local departments across Pennsylvania, even as overall numbers fluctuate from year to year. The FBI's 2024 report on reported crimes lays out national trends, and Pennsylvania agencies share more localized figures through the state policing dashboard. See the FBI release and the Pennsylvania State Police for background on how agencies track and compare violent crime.
Legal implications
If prosecutors decide to file attempted homicide charges, the suspects would be staring down major felony counts under Pennsylvania law. The state defines criminal attempt at 18 Pa.C.S. § 901, and the criminal code allows for enhanced penalties. An attempted murder that results in serious bodily injury, for example, can carry a potential sentence of up to 40 years under state sentencing provisions.
The Shenango Township investigation remains active, and anyone with information is asked to contact the township police. For more details on the case and the names released by authorities, see the report from the New Castle News.
