In the summer of 2021, the life of 22-year-old Tyler Sitar, a male from Dunmore, Pennsylvania, was tragically cut short. On the evening of Friday, July 16, 2021, Sitar was at a residence on William Street in Dunmore when he sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the stomach. He was rushed to Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, where he succumbed to his injuries. The Lackawanna County coroner's office later conducted an autopsy and officially ruled his death a homicide.
The initial investigation into the shooting pointed to another young man, 23-year-old Luigi LoRusso from Berks County. LoRusso, who was present at the scene, initially claimed to police that the shooting was accidental. He stated that he was in the process of moving his rifle when the firearm discharged, striking Sitar. Following the incident, law enforcement took LoRusso into custody, and he was initially faced with assault charges while the investigation continued.
As the legal process unfolded, LoRusso ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter in September 2022. Following his guilty plea, he was sentenced to serve between one to three years in a state prison for his role in the death of Tyler Sitar.
Tyler Sitar was remembered as a vibrant young man with a promising future. A 2017 graduate of Dunmore High School, he was known for being a star soccer player. His commitment to service was evident through his proud affiliation with the United States Marine Corps. In his civilian life, he was an employee of Canada Dry and had also attended Lackawanna College. His obituary described him as having a larger-than-life personality and a deep love for his family and friends. In the wake of his death, the community has come together to honor his memory, including through annual memorial soccer games held in his name.
