Woman accused of giving handgun to juvenile
Published: December 18, 2009
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share thisA Towanda woman accused of giving a juvenile a handgun with which he shot himself has been charged by borough police with possession of a firearm by a minor.
According to information filed at Magisterial District Judge Clark's office, Shanise G. Lyon, 20, of 1 Mulberry St., has also been charged with tampering or fabricating physical evidence; obstructing administration of the law; corruption of a minor; and receiving stolen property.
Police reported receiving information on Dec. 14 of a shooting occurring in the area. Further investigation led them to Lyon, whom they spoke to on Dec. 15, police said.
During the interview, the report continued, Lyon informed the police that a friend, a juvenile, had shot himself on Dec. 10 at her residence. Lyon said she was at work at the time, and her friend had called her after the incident occurred.
Lyon said that a relative came to her residence and transported the juvenile to the hospital for treatment.
When they asked her about the gun, police said, Lyon told them she had given it to the juvenile. She explained she had found the gun when she was moving out of an old trailer, and it had belonged to her ex-boyfriend.
Upon further questioning, Lyon told the police that she had thrown the gun out the window of a vehicle as she was riding in while traveling to Geisinger Medical Center where the juvenile had been transferred, according to reports. Lyon said did it because she thought it was a safety issue, police reported.
Police said they later obtained medical records from Robert Packer Hospital, indicating that the juvenile identified by Lyon was brought to the facility due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his face.
Lyon was arraigned before Judge Clark, who ordered the defendant incarcerated in lieu of $10,000 bail. Lyon's preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 23.
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