Pot Found Growing in House Where Man Was Shot: Police

State police say they found a sophisticated marijuana growing operation in the western Pennsylvania home of a man jailed on charges he shot his "best friend."

So far, police have only charged 32-year-old Eric Fennell, of Hempfield Township, with criminal homicide. They say he shot 27-year-old Fidel Velez early Tuesday, a shooting Fennell acknowledges but says was an accident.

Now police say Fennell and his girlfriend drove Velez to the hospital because they feared police would find the marijuana growing in the home had they called 911.

Police say Fennell first claimed Velez shot himself, then told police the gun accidentally fired while Fennell was holding it and Velez was working the slide used to cock the gun.

Online court records don't list an attorney for Fennell who has a preliminary hearing Jan. 31.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us