A Perry County man is facing charges after police say he shot and killed his wife inside their Rye Township home on Monday morning. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, troopers were called to the 1400 block of New Valley Road around 10:30 a.m. after 56-year-old Douglas Snyder dialed 911 and reported that a shooting had occurred.
When officers arrived and entered the house, they discovered 38-year-old Samantha Fields dead from apparent gunshot wounds, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
Court documents state that Snyder and Fields’ son was inside the home at the time. The boy told investigators that all three were home when he went to bed. He later awoke to a horrifying scene. According to the affidavit, the child said, “he woke up and saw a body, and it was his mom.”
Investigators said Snyder admitted firing the shots. In an interview at the home, police reported that Snyder told them, “I guess I shot her by accident … I, honest to god, did not just shoot my wife.” Snyder was later taken to the police station for further questioning, according to the affidavit, which Lancaster’s NBC affiliate, WGAL, reported.
The court filing says Snyder told investigators that an argument with Fields turned violent just before the shooting. He said Fields threw a book at him while he was walking away, striking him in the back of the head.
“She threw the book at me from at least 10 feet away,” Snyder said, according to the affidavit. “I was pissed, I turned around, snapped, and I shot her.” A GoFundMe page started by one of Fields’ friends said her life was taken “by a monster in an act of domestic violence.”
After the shooting, Snyder admitted he left the house for about 13 hours, leaving his son alone with his mother’s body, according to the documents. He later returned and contacted the police.
Snyder has been charged with criminal homicide and endangering the welfare of children. Court records show he was denied bail and is being held at Perry County Prison. The investigation is ongoing. WGAL reported that efforts are underway to gather additional details about the case.