What to Know
- Bruce Rogal's divorce had just been finalized when he shot at his ex-wife six times.
- He then drove to his parent's senior living home and killed them both.
- Neighbors told NBC10 that something always seemed off about the Chester County gunman.
Bruce Rogal had just killed his elderly parents after shooting at his ex-wife six times when he went to a friend’s house for a few beers, according to law enforcement sources.
Rogal never said a word about his murderous spree.
A few hours later, the 59-year-old Rogal was dead.
The Chester County rampage ended early Thursday morning after a brief manhunt and police chase, marking a violent end to what court documents show was a violent life. [[493794001, C]]
In 2015, his ex-wife secured a protection from abuse order against Rogal detailing years of abuse. On one occasion, he punched the back of her head with his fist. He also threw her to the ground, grabbed her by the throat, slammed her into the kitchen counter and spit in her face.
The abuse allegations date back to 2009, according to court records. Rogal’s teenage son witnessed many of the attacks against his mom and called 911 on her behalf at least once.
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Everything seemed to set off Rogal. While they were still married, Rogal shoved his wife out of the way when he didn’t have enough room to get around her in the kitchen, court documents showed. He also slammed her into the wall after a fight over $300. The latter assault resulted in a cracked rib and deep bruising.
On Wednesday, the final straw came in the form of divorce papers.
Rogal’s ex-wife was in the driveway of her West Bradford Township home, changing her car’s oil, when Rogal charged. He fired six shots at her. None of the bullets hit her, but several did strike neighboring homes.
“I heard bang, bang, bang and immediately shut my lights and television off,” neighbor Ron Costanzo said.
Another neighbor, Pauline Hart, told NBC10 she had encountered Rogal several times and always felt uneasy.
“He was actually scary,” she said. “He wasn’t right.”
When the shooting broke out, Rogal’s ex-wife found safety at neighbor Heather Everett’s house. Everett’s family was in the middle of a barbecue yet offered shelter from the rampaging Rogal, who pointed his gun at Everett’s mother but did not fire.
He then drove to his parents' senior living center in nearby East Goshen Township at 6:15 p.m. and killed them, police said. William and Nancy Rogal were both in their late 80s, according to Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan.
State police began to pursue Rogal around 1 a.m. Thursday after he drove near Pennsylvania State Police barracks, officials said. The manhunt, which included a ground and air pursuit, circled back to Rogal’s ex-wife’s home. There, he crashed his car and exchanged gunfire with troopers, Hogan said.
Rogal was found dead in the driver's seat of his own car, surrounded by firearms, Hogan said. Police have not confirmed if they killed him or if the gunman shot himself.
