Nancy Folcomer, a 55-year-old woman from Red Lion, Pennsylvania, tragically died on June 24, 2017. She was the passenger in her husband's car when they were driving on Myers School Road in North Hopewell Township. Around 3:45 p.m., Nancy was struck in the shoulder by a stray bullet from a 9 mm pistol being fired on private property nearby. Despite immediate medical attention, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
The incident was determined to be a result of reckless disregard for firearm safety by two men, aged 21 and 42, who were shooting the pistol on private property. The York County District Attorney’s Office was involved in deciding whether to charge the two men with involuntary manslaughter. The investigation included ballistic examinations and scene reconstructions to determine the distance from which the shot was fired.
The death of Nancy Folcomer was ruled a homicide by the York County Coroner’s Office. The ruling was based on the fact that her death was caused by the actions of another person, even though it might not differ from any future legal findings. The case was treated as a first-degree misdemeanor under Pennsylvania law, which defines involuntary manslaughter as causing someone's death through reckless or grossly negligent behavior.
The investigation continued for several months, with state police working diligently to piece together the events leading to Nancy's death. The two men involved were cooperative with the investigation, and the bullet that struck Nancy was sent to a crime lab for analysis to match it with the gun used.
Nancy Folcomer's death serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of gun safety and the potential consequences of reckless behavior. Her family and community were deeply affected by the loss, and her passing was mourned by many who knew her.
