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Police arrest Shippensburg homicide suspect

State Police say that Breanna Black, 33, shot and killed Beth Schwartz, 48, in Shippensburg yesterday after a verbal altercation.

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. — Update, April 28: Breanna Black, accused of fatally shooting Beth Schwartz during an argument allegedly related to drugs, had a preliminary hearing on April 26.

The judge decided all charges would be held over to the Court of Common Pleas after testimony from law enforcement and a witness.

Black did not attend the hearing, instead remaining in prison.

Previously: Authorities are investigating after a woman was shot and killed in Shippensburg on Easter Sunday.

State Police say that Breanna Black, 33, of Shippensburg, shot and killed Beth Schwartz, 48, around 8:39 p.m. on April 9 during a verbal altercation.

Schwartz was taken from the scene on the 100 block of South Prince Street in Shippensburg to Chambersburg Hospital for treatment. She was then life flighted to York Hospital for additional care, where she died from her injuries, troopers reported.

Officers identified Black as the possible shooter and took her into custody without incident, police said.

An investigation allegedly determined Black shot Schwartz during an argument. According to police, the two knew each other and had argued over the phone prior to the shooting.

The cause of their argument is believed to have been related to drugs, a witness allegedly told police.

The witness said Schwartz often provided pills to Black, and the two may have been arguing over a supply of pills Schwartz allegedly owed her, according to police.

After arguing with Schwartz over the phone, the witness told police, Black allegedly took a firearm belonging to the witness, left her residence, and went to the 100 block of S. Prince Street to confront Schwartz.

The witness told police she then heard a gunshot. 

When Black returned, she allegedly told the witness she had shot Schwartz and put the handgun on a desk.

The witness reported she then heard Black call a relative, admit to the shooting, and say "I don't know what I'm gonna do; I'm going to jail," police said in the criminal complaint affidavit.

The witness told investigators there were drugs and other firearms -- including the weapon Black allegedly used to shoot Schwartz -- in Black's residence, according to police.

Black was taken into custody at her home and charged with one count of criminal homicide and one count of persons not to possess a firearm. She is being held in the Cumberland County Prison, pending arraignment.

Police say there are no additional suspects nor persons of interest and there is no danger to members of the community.

Anyone who witnessed this incident, may have video of this incident or may have additional information is asked to contact PSP Carlisle at 717-249-2121 and reference incident number PA2023-463213. 

Tips can also be submitted to PA Crime Stoppers for those who would like to remain anonymous: www.CrimewatchPA.com or (800) 472-8477

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