On a late Sunday evening in June, the life of Joshua Cale Hillegas, a 30-year-old man, was tragically cut short in what began as a domestic dispute. The incident unfolded on June 14, 2020, at his grandparents' home just outside of Boswell, Pennsylvania. His grandfather, 80-year-old Ray Edward Supanick, had gotten into an argument with his wife, reportedly angered by the suggestion that he might be placed in a care facility due to his health.
As the argument escalated, Supanick retrieved
a long gun. Fearing for her safety, his wife called their grandson, Joshua, for help. Before state troopers could arrive, Hillegas entered the home in an attempt to de-escalate the situation and disarm his grandfather. It was during this heroic act that he was fatally shot. He collapsed on the back porch and was pronounced dead at the scene. His grandmother was able to wrestle the gun away from her husband before law enforcement arrived.
Ray Edward Supanick was taken into custody at the scene. He was arraigned on multiple charges, including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and making terroristic threats. He claimed to investigators that the gun discharged accidentally as he and his grandson struggled over the weapon. Supanick was held without bond and was awaiting his preliminary hearing.
The legal proceedings against Ray Supanick came to an unexpected end when he died in prison on August 22, 2020. He had been receiving dialysis at SCI-Laurel Highlands, as the county jail was not equipped to handle his medical needs. His death brought an end to the prosecution for the death of Joshua Cale Hillegas, a man remembered by friends and family as a hero who gave his life trying to protect his grandmother.
