News

October 1, 2009

Exeter boy, 16, shot in chest

EXETER – A teenage boy was shot in his upper chest at a Schooley Avenue apartment Wednesday night.

The boy, Matthew Abline, 16, of 148 Schooley Ave., was taken to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township, according to the boy’s sister, Crystal Abline.

Crystal Abline, 18, said she was upstairs in her bedroom and heard her brother yelling at his mother, Cynthia Abline, 44, downstairs in the living room shortly before 9:30 p.m.

She said she came downstairs and found her brother bleeding from his upper chest near the neck.

The boy said he was accidentally shot with a .22-caliber gun at the apartment of his friend, John Krantz, who lives across the street at 141 Schooley Ave., Building S, Crystal Abline saidWhen their mother asked who shot him, the boy said his friend was showing him the gun he had just bought when it went off, she said.

The boy’s mother and sister applied pressure to the wound and called 911. Crystal Abline said her brother was going in and out of consciousness.

Luzerne County 911 said Krantz fled the scene and police were still searching for him as of press time.

Police would not release any information on the incident.

A 911 supervisor confirmed that Krantz, who Crystal said friends called “John-John,” is described as being in his mid 20s, about 5 feet, 3 inches to 5 feet, 6 inches tall, with a goatee. He was last seen wearing a red hoodie, jean shorts and black sneakers and was headed toward Wyoming. He is believed to be armed and heading toward Nanticoke.

Jen Marckini, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7210.

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