Keith R. Haskins, a 55-year-old White/Caucasian male from Russell, Pennsylvania, died on Memorial Day, May 27, 2024, after a confrontation inside an automotive repair shop at 2 South Main Street in Russell. Keith was remembered in his obituary as a self-employed contractor and a “jack of all trades” who was known for fixing almost anything. He enjoyed working on cars, air-brush painting, riding Harley motorcycles, gardening, operating heavy equipment, driving RC cars, and spending time with
his family. He left behind children, grandchildren, siblings, his mother, longtime companion, and others who considered him a father figure.
The shooting happened shortly before 9:30 p.m. Pennsylvania State Police said Keith and Mark E. Saullo, then 62, also of Russell, were involved in a brief altercation at Saullo’s shop. According to police accounts and the affidavit summarized in local reporting, the conflict between the two men had not begun that night. Saullo told investigators that he and Keith had been in a verbal and physical altercation two days earlier, on Saturday, May 25, and that after that encounter the two men had gone their separate ways. Saullo also reportedly told police he had written a letter saying Keith was no longer allowed on his property, though reporting indicated the letter may not have reached Keith before the fatal encounter.
On the night Keith died, Saullo allegedly told police he was warned that Keith was on his way to the shop and was angry. Saullo said Keith came in demanding the title to a vehicle. The argument reportedly moved into the office area, where the men continued arguing and began pushing each other. Saullo told investigators that Keith pushed him on the neck and that he warned Keith he was going to shoot him. Saullo then went to his desk and retrieved a Smith & Wesson. 40-caliber semi-automatic pistol.
According to the affidavit as reported by local outlets, Saullo said Keith struck him with the back of his hand, and Saullo fired one round. The shot struck Keith in the stomach. A witness who had been outside the building reportedly heard the gunshot, ran inside, and saw Saullo holding a pistol while Keith held his stomach. The witness told police Saullo cleared the gun, removed the magazine, placed the pistol on a desk, and separated the items. The witness then called 911. Police said Saullo did not render aid to Keith after the shooting. Keith died at the scene from the gunshot wound.
Saullo was taken into custody at 2 South Main Street by a Conewango Township police officer and was later interviewed by Pennsylvania State Police at the Starbrick barracks around 2 a.m. He was charged with criminal homicide, arraigned before District Judge Laura Bauer, and held without bail because bail is not available on a criminal homicide charge in Pennsylvania. Early reports described him as the sole suspect in Keith’s death.
The case moved forward for more than a year, with Saullo remaining in the Warren County Jail after his arrest. At trial, Saullo’s defense argued that the shooting was self-defense. His attorney, Jason Nard, said the defense position was that Saullo genuinely believed he needed to defend himself and that the jury had to decide whether that belief was reasonable under the circumstances. Prosecutors pursued the homicide charge, and the jury also had to consider whether lesser forms of homicide were supported by the evidence.
After a four-day trial in July 2025, the jury deliberated for a little more than two hours and found Saullo not guilty. He was acquitted of the criminal homicide charge on July 10, 2025, and was ordered released from jail after the verdict. Warren County First Assistant District Attorney Cody Brown said afterward that prosecutors disagreed with the verdict but respected the jury’s role, calling the case difficult and emotional for everyone involved. No other arrests or suspects were reported in connection with Keith Haskins’ death.
