In the spring of 2015, a domestic situation in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, tragically escalated, resulting in the death of 52-year-old Christopher S. Katchur Sr., a male of Armenian ethnicity. The events that unfolded on May 13, 2015, were the culmination of a period of turmoil between Katchur and his wife, Patricia Katchur, who was 55 at the time.
On that Wednesday, just hours before his death, Christopher Katchur had sought and obtained an emergency protection-from-abuse order against
his wife. In his petition, he expressed fear, stating that Patricia had been destructive in their Orchard Street home, even burning their marriage license in the sink. He also noted that she owned two guns and had permits for them. He was reportedly returning to his residence with the protective order still on his person when the fatal confrontation occurred.
Earlier in the day, Patricia had been locked out of the home. She managed to gain entry by removing an air conditioning unit from a window and climbing inside. She then reportedly took a sleeping pill and fell asleep. When Christopher arrived home, he woke her and, citing the protection order, demanded that she leave. An argument ensued, and as they moved onto the front porch, Patricia shot Christopher. Witnesses in the neighborhood reported hearing fighting before the gunshot rang out.
Following the shooting, Patricia Katchur was taken into custody and charged with criminal homicide. She was held in the Allegheny County Jail without bail. In January 2017, she pleaded guilty to a charge of third-degree murder. As a result of her plea, she was sentenced to serve 15 to 30 years in prison for the death of her husband.
