Andre Vernet, of Earl Township, was being questioned Monday, June 1, by Pennsylvania State Police at Reading after fatally shooting a man who had come to his home.
Robert Stoudt, 43, of Birdsboro, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Berks County Coroner’s office. Police said that Stoudt and Vernet, identified as the resident of the home at 12 Long Lane Road, were acquainted.
Trooper Eric Schaeffer said that Stoudt had come to Vernet’s house around 11 p.m. Sunday night when he was hit with a blast from a shotgun, which police later recovered.
Stoudt had a male juvenile relative with him, police said.
There were two more juveniles inside the house at the time. One of the people in the house at the time of the shooting called 911 to report the incident, but by the time police arrived, Stoudt was dead.
The body had been moved from the porch of the home before police arrived.
“We don’t know what the motive was for moving him, whether it was for trying to treat him or what,” Schaeffer said.
Police believe that it is the adults, Stoudt and Vernet, that were acquainted, more so than the juveniles who were present at the time, according to Schaeffer.
Vernet, 50, was being cooperative with the investigation and had given a statement to police, according to Schaeffer.
Investigators had not determined Monday whether the shooting was accidental, justified or will be considered a homicide.
Vernet and witnesses were questioned by police throughout the day Monday, though no charges had been filed.
Public Information Officer David Beohm said that an autopsy was scheduled for Monday night, and may help determine if charges would be filed.
