A quiet Sunday in West Hempfield Township was shattered by violence that claimed the life of 74-year-old Dominga Cedano-Cedano. The tragic events of October 5, 2025, unfolded within a home on Oak Hollow Drive, stemming from a domestic dispute that escalated to a fatal conclusion. That evening, Santiago Payano-Sanchez, 63, became embroiled in an argument with his estranged wife, Ana Gutierrez-Cedano, 59, and his sister-in-law, Dominga.
The argument, reportedly over something as trivial as who would make dinner, took a horrific turn when Payano-Sanchez produced a handgun.
In the ensuing chaos, Payano-Sanchez shot his 33-year-old son, who had attempted to intervene and wrestle the gun away from his father. The son sustained a serious gunshot wound to the stomach but ultimately survived. Tragically, Dominga Cedano-Cedano and her sister, Ana Gutierrez-Cedano, were both fatally shot. First responders arrived to a grim scene, finding both women deceased inside the residence. Two young children, ages two and seven, were also present in the home during the shooting but were physically unharmed.
After the shootings, Payano-Sanchez contacted family members and confessed to his actions, expressing remorse. He was taken into custody at the scene and initially treated for superficial self-inflicted injuries. The firearm used in the incident was legally owned by Payano-Sanchez, who also possessed a valid concealed carry permit.
Santiago Payano-Sanchez was charged with two counts of criminal homicide, one count of attempted criminal homicide, and other related offenses. He ultimately pleaded guilty to the charges. In January 2026, a judge sentenced him to two consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole, with an additional 20 to 40 years. The senseless argument that preceded the violence left a family devastated and a community in mourning.
