Shooting Incident
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 18, 2012
Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Abington Township Police Chief William J. Kelly announce the arrest of Andre Dula for the killing of Willam Butler. Dula is charged with first degree murder and related charges.
On Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 9:33 PM, Abington Township Police responded to a reported shooting incident in the area of 77 North Hills Avenue in the North Hills section of AbingtonTownship. After police arrived they learned that the shooting victim, William Butler, age 27, was transported to Abington Hospital by private vehicle for treatment of a gunshot wound. Despite their attempts emergency personnel were not able to save the victim and he was pronounced dead at 10:58 PM.
The Abington Township Police Department and the Montgomery County Detectives commenced a joint homicide investigation into Butler’s death. The roadway in the 70 block of North Hills Avenue was secured as a crime scene.
Montgomery County Detectives and Abington Township Detectives interviewed a number of witnesses that assisted police. They told police that there was an ongoing dispute between the defendant and the victim. Prior to the shooting the defendant had made threats to shoot the victim. While in the area of 77 North Hills Avenue there was an altercation between the victim and the defendant. Also, witnesses observed the defendant pull out a handgun and then saw the victim run away from the defendant. Witnesses saw the defendant chase, point the gun at the victim and then heard three shots being fired.
On Wednesday, July 18, 2012, the Montgomery County Coroner, Doctor Walter Hofman, performed an autopsy on the body of William Butler. Following the autopsy, Doctor Hofman opined that the cause of Butler’s death was a gunshot wound of the back/shot in back by other.
The defendant was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Juanita Price. The defendant was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, July 25, 2012.
Approved for release:
Risa Vetri Ferman
CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE MERELY ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY.