A Pennsylvania woman is facing a criminal homicide charge after police say she fatally shot her husband during an argument over where he had left a handgun inside their home.
Dawn Marie Freeman, 44, was taken into custody after the Oct. 4 shooting at a residence on Mine Road in Adams Township. She is accused in the death of her husband, 40-year-old Bradley Freeman.
Pennsylvania State Police said troopers were called to the home around 6:37 p.m. for a death investigation after local police requested assistance. Investigators determined that the couple had been involved in a verbal argument before a firearm was discharged.
Police said there was no ongoing threat to the public.
According to investigators, the dispute centered on the way Bradley Freeman stored his 9 mm handgun. Dawn Freeman allegedly told detectives that her husband had repeatedly left the firearm in places where children could access it.
She said the issue had been a concern for at least two years. On the day of the shooting, she reportedly returned home and saw the handgun on a coffee table in the living room.
The situation escalated after she confronted her husband about moving the gun to a safer location. Investigators say Freeman told them she became angry when he refused.
She then allegedly picked up the handgun, pointed it toward her husband’s chest and fired, telling investigators she wanted to “show him a lesson” about gun safety.
After the shot was fired, Bradley Freeman fell face down on the living room floor, according to the investigation. Freeman allegedly threw the gun across the room and began screaming.
Her son, who was also at the residence, attempted CPR while Freeman called 911. Emergency responders later arrived and Bradley Freeman was pronounced dead.
Cambria County Coroner Jeff Lees conducted an autopsy and determined that Bradley Freeman died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
During a voluntary interview with detectives, Freeman allegedly said she had repeatedly pleaded with her husband over the years to stop leaving the firearm unsecured because she was afraid someone could eventually be hurt.
Freeman was arraigned on Oct. 5 and remains jailed at Cambria County Prison after bail was denied. She is charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person.
The case remains an allegation, and the charges against Freeman have not been proven in court. Further proceedings will determine how the case moves forward.
