Police: Clay Twp. Shooting Of 23-Year-Old Brett Simmons Appears To Be Drug Related

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The fatal shooting of a 23-year-old Clay Twp. man during a home invasion that also left his father seriously wounded appears to be connected to the drug trade.

Chief of Northern Lancaster regional police David Steffen said Wednesday morning that the ongoing investigation shows the shooting was not a random attack.

“We’re highlighting that nothing at all in this investigation suggests an element of randomness,” Steffen said.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/police-clay-twp-shooting-of–year-old-brett-simmons/article_fd43904c-4eee-11e4-9626-001a4bcf6878.html

Clay Township Fatal Home Invasion Suspects’ Descriptions Released

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More than two days after a home-invasion shooting that left a Clay Township man dead and his father critically wounded, authorities released descriptions of two suspects, who remained at large Sunday afternoon.

One is described as a young adult male, 5’9″-5’11” and of average build, according to a Lancaster City-County Crime Stoppers release late Sunday afternoon. The other is a young adult male with dark eyes, blonde hair, about 5’9″ and of average build.

The men, both masked, entered the home James Simmons, 44, was renting at 580 Clearview Road. Police responded about 11:05 p.m. Thursday.

Brett J. Simmons, 23, was found dead in the back yard of the property; James Simmons was found on the second floor.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/clay-fatal-home-invasion-suspects-descriptions-released/article_40900294-4752-11e4-8da0-001a4bcf6878.html

No Arrests Yet In Clay Twp. Home-Invasion Killing; Father Still Alive

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A 23-year-old man was shot and killed and his father shot and injured in a Clay Township home-invasion shooting Thursday night.

Brett Simmons, 23, died from an apparent gunshot wound, according to county coroner Stephen Diamantoni. An autopsy will be performed Monday morning.

Police have provided few details.

Saturday morning, officials did confirm that no one has been charged. Also, they said, Simmons’ father is alive at an area hospital.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/no-arrests-yet-in-clay-twp-home-invasion-killing-father/article_44b91bc8-452a-11e4-981e-001a4bcf6878.html

DA Calls Assault On Elderly Women In Clay Twp. One Of Lancaster County’s Most Heinous’ Crimes

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The young man accused of torturing three elderly women Friday in their Clay Township home was apprehended swiftly because of collaborative efforts among local police.

That was the message Monday from Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman, who led a press conference confirming a litany of charges against 22-year-old Dereck Taylor Holt, who is believed to have targeted the women solely because of his as yet unexplained hatred for members of the Mennonite faith.

“This is one of the most serious crimes that we’ve had in Lancaster County history, one of the most heinous crimes that didn’t result in a homicide,” Stedman said.

“I’ve been doing this for 20 years,” he said.

“To say that I’m shocked by this — we’re all shocked by this — is an understatement.”

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/794078_DA-calls-assault-on-elderly-women-in-Clay-Twp–one-of-county-s–most-heinous–crimes-.html#ixzz2FSJdUNjI

Man Charged In Attack On Three Women In Clay Township

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A 22-year-old man has been charged with torturing three elderly women in an act of “rage” against the Mennonite faith Friday at a Clay Township home, police said.

Dereck Taylor Holt allegedly used a stun gun-like device on the women, ages 84 to 90, and punched them, according to Northern Lancaster County Regional police. He then bound their hands and feet with tape, covered their faces and ransacked the house, investigators said.

Investigators allege Holt terrorized the women for at least two hours, during which time he indicated he previously had been a member of the Mennonite community and has anger for its members since he left the faith, officials said.

During the assault, he read various Bible passages and then vandalized the women’s Bible, police said.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/793669_Man-charged-in-attack-on-three-women-in-Clay-Township.html#ixzz2FKQHfwGW