In the early morning hours of January 10, 2025, police were called to a residence on the 1200 block of Walnut Street in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, following reports of gunfire. Inside the home, officers discovered two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment. One of the men, 64-year-old Franklin Lee, a Black male, was later pronounced dead from his injuries.
His death was recorded as the first homicide in the city for the year.
An investigation into the shooting commenced, and a suspect was quickly identified and interviewed by the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. The Dauphin County District Attorney's Office reviewed the case to determine if criminal charges were warranted. The subsequent investigation revealed a dramatic struggle had taken place within the home. According to the district attorney, Lee had initiated an attack on another man. During this altercation, a handgun that Lee was carrying discharged, wounding the other individual.
In response to being shot, the wounded man returned fire with another handgun, striking Lee. This second shot proved to be fatal. The individual who shot Lee provided a complete statement to the police about the incident. Further investigation into Franklin Lee's background showed that he had prior convictions for third-degree murder and rape and had been released on parole in 2019 after serving more than 35 years in prison. Due to his criminal history, Lee was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. After a thorough review of the evidence, the Dauphin County District Attorney announced in March 2025 that no criminal charges would be filed in connection with Lee's death. The killing was ruled a justifiable act of self-defense under Pennsylvania's laws, as the shooter was found to have acted to protect himself from unlawful force.
