(WJET/WFXP) — Following the arrest of a suspect in the murder of a pregnant Amish woman, a Pennsylvania community was left with lingering questions and limited information about why.
Police took 52-year-old Shawn Cranston, of Corry, into custody Friday night outside of the Corry Dollar General store on Main Street, right next to where he lives.
Cranston had been charged in the brutal murder of 23-year-old Rebekah Byler, of Spartansburg.
According to court paperwork, Cranston allegedly broke into Byler’s home in Sparta Township on Monday, Feb. 26, shot her in the head and slashed her throat.
That morning, neighbors reported seeing a red Jeep in Byler’s driveway. Then on Friday night, a red Jeep was towed from Cranston’s home.
JET 24/FOX 66 spoke with a Dollar General employee who was there when police made the arrest.
“He’s the guy that opens doors, let a woman in the door, help put groceries in the car. He’s a ‘yes ma’am, no ma’am’ type of person. I’ve known him for years. He’s pulled over to the side of the road to help somebody with their hood popped. Like, He helped somebody else with their problem at Walmart in a parking lot. I never, never would have thought of all of all people. Like, it’s crazy,” said Julia Purpura, an employee at the Corry Dollar General.
Cranston was charged with criminal homicide, criminal homicide of an unborn child, burglary and criminal trespass. He remains in the Crawford County Jail without bail.
