Peter Jonathan Gillis, 57, is seen being led away from the state police barracks in Wyoming on Friday afternoon after being arraigned in connection with the shooting death of Robert Kile earlier Friday.
Pat Kernan | Times Leader
Harding man charged in shooting death of neighbor
Exeter Township Supervisor Chairman Robert Kile, right, is seen in a 2018 file photo. Kile, 57, was shot to death on Friday. Neighbor Peter Jonathan Gillis, 57, has been charged in his death in what state police say was a dispute that escalated.
EXETER TWP. — A Harding man charged in Friday’s shooting death of township Supervisor Robert Francis Kile Sr., told reporters the incident was a case of self defense.
State police say it was a dispute between neighbors — and that Kile was both unarmed and had his hands up when Peter Jonathan Gillis shot him, as related by a witness.
“I was trying to protect myself, this guy attacked me in my yard,” Gillis, 57, said as he was being led away from the Pennsylvania State Police barracks at Wyoming on Friday afternoon.
Gillis was arraigned by video at the barracks in connection with the death of Robert Francis Kile Sr., 57, of Harding, who troopers say was found shot to death in the driveway of Gillis’ home at 2395 state Route 92, Exeter Township, at about 9:15 a.m.
Gillis has been charged with one count each of criminal homicide and recklessly endangering another person — the latter because a passing motorist was in the line of fire when the fatal shots rang out.
In addition to serving as a supervisor Kile was second assistant chief at Mt. Zion Bicentennial Fire Co. in Harding.
‘I had to shoot him’
According to a state police affidavit:
Exeter Township Police Chief William Knowles arrived at the scene at 9:17 a.m. and observed a deceased male in the driveway.
Knowles observed Gillis in the front yard. He “was taken into custody without incident for safety reasons,” and found to be unarmed. Gillis then told Knowles where he had placed a .223 caliber rifle used in the incident and it was retrieved by police. Several spent casings were observed in the front yard.
While being held in a police vehicle, Gillis “made several excited utterances regarding the incident,” the affidavit states, including allegedly telling the chief “He wouldn’t leave, I had to shoot him.”
“The preliminary details were that this was a neighbor dispute which resulted in a shooting occurring at the location,” the affidavit states.
Knowles and Exeter Township Police Corporal Charles Neff positively identified Kile as the victim. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Luzerne County Coroner Francis Hacken.
No firearms were found on or near Kile’s body. A folded pocket knife was found in his right front pocket.
Witnesses who were traveling northbound on Route 92 at the time of the shooting were interviewed by police, saying they saw the victim standing in the driveway with his hands up.
One witness saw a male shoot the victim multiple times but continued to travel northbound. After a short pause, the witness heard a second round of shots.
The witness told police that they and a companion were in the line of fire when the shooting started.
They also observed a gray pickup truck with a log-splitter parked at the scene at the time of the shooting.
Police obtained a search warrant to view surveillance video from the Gillis home. It showed Gillis backing his van into the driveway.
“A short time later Gillis is then observed firing a rifle multiple times followed by a second burst of gunfire,” the affidavit states.
Witness interviews revealed Kile drove the gray pickup truck and log-splitter to the scene. Investigation discovered bullet holes on the passenger side of the vehicle.
It was searched by a state police forensic unit and no firearms or weapons were located.
Community ‘at a loss’
Township Board of Supervisors Chairman Donald Kreseski released a statement Friday night about Kile’s death.
“The Exeter Township Board of Supervisors were saddened to hear of the passing of Supervisor Robert Kile Sr.,” Kreseski wrote.
“Mr. Kile had served our community in several capacities. In addition to serving with the ambulance and fire companies, he had served as a member of our board of supervisors for nearly five years, including two years as Chairman of the Board,” Kreseski added.
“Mr. Kile had worked diligently to serve the taxpayers of Exeter Township and would often be the first to voice his thoughts and concerns regarding matters before the board. The community will be at a loss without Mr. Kile’s dedication to our local volunteer organizations,” he wrote.
“The Board of Supervisors extends our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Kile.”
‘Our hearts are broken’
The Harding-based Mt. Zion Bicentennial Fire Co., where Kile had been second assistant chief, posted a memorial message on its Facebook page Friday afternoon.
“Our hearts are broken. Please keep our family, especially the Kile family in your prayers,” the post read.
Other departments, including the West Hazleton Fire Department, also posted condolence messages.
“West Hazleton Fire Department sends its condolences to Mt. Zion Bicentennial Fire Company on the loss of their Deputy Chief. His work in his community, and Luzerne County has helped countless people in their time of need,” the post said.
“For those of us who knew him, our hearts will weigh with sadness at the loss of such a fine, kind, and caring individual.”
“Rest Easy Chief,” it concluded. “We’ll Take It From Here.”
