SMITH TOWNSHIP, PA — A deadly home invasion early Sunday morning has left a Washington County community in shock. According to Pennsylvania State Police, 37-year-old Renee Gill was fatally shot inside her home on Eleanor Street in Smith Township. Her adult son was also wounded in the attack but is expected to survive.
The violent incident occurred around 1:15 a.m. when several masked men dressed in black forced their way into the residence. Once inside, they confronted Gill, who was home with her two sons. During the altercation, Gill’s older son, believed to be in his early 20s, attempted to defend his mother. One of the intruders then pulled a gun and shot both Gill and her son. Renee Gill was pronounced dead at the scene, while her son was rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Police say the suspects fled before officers arrived, and no arrests have been made. Authorities have not released a detailed description of the suspects other than noting they were all wearing masks and dark clothing. Investigators are still working to determine whether the suspects used a vehicle to escape or fled on foot.
Trooper Rocco Gagliardi of the Pennsylvania State Police said investigators believe the attackers may have known the family. “There has to be some sort of connection,” he said, indicating the motive could be personal, professional, or family-related. Gill and her son both managed to call 911 during the incident, and authorities say valuable information was gathered from those calls, including possible clues from background noise.
A younger son, who was also inside the home at the time of the shooting, was not physically harmed. Emergency crews had initially planned to airlift one of the victims, but bad weather made helicopter transport impossible. The community is now mourning the sudden and violent loss of a mother, while her surviving children face a painful road ahead.
Neighbor Ernest Westerhoff Sr. expressed heartbreak over the tragedy. “I’m crushed more than anything,” he said. “I just don’t know, man. I’m lost.” Police have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat, but the search for the suspects continues. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Pennsylvania State Police as the investigation remains active.
