Police arrested a Pennsylvania man who they say brought his friend to the hospital after shooting him.
On Friday, shortly before 7:30 p.m., 26-year-old Charles Byle brought his friend, Steven Vickers, to Lower Bucks Hospital. Vickers had been shot in the right bicep and the bullet traveled through his arm into his chest cavity, coming to a rest behind his heart.
While Vickers was unable to speak, Byle told police he didn’t know who shot his friend. Police say they noticed Byle had large blood stains on his jeans, sneakers and t-shirt. They also say he was carrying a plastic bag provided by the hospital staff, containing a Grey sweat shirt which was stained and wet with blood.
Police then went to Byle’s home in Falls Township around 10:50 p.m. Police say they found blood splattered on a fallen leaf in the driveway, what appeared to be a bloody footprint on the sidewalk and a large amount of blood in the front yard.
Several officers then went inside the home. Once inside, police say they found a large “bong” or water pipe, in the kitchen sink, fireworks in the living room, more blood in the hallway leading to a bedroom and a revolver type firearm as well as pill bottles inside the bedroom.
Detectives then brought Byle in for questioning around 2:50 a.m. on Saturday. During the interview, Byle allegedly admitted to accidentally shooting his friend.
Byle told police he was inside his bedroom, cleaning his gun because it had rust on it while Vickers was standing by the door. Byle allegedly told police that he pointed his gun towards the doorway and pulled the trigger. Police say Byle told them he didn’t mean to fire a shot and normally kept the chamber under the hammer and the next chamber empty for safety.
Byle allegedly told detectives Vickers told him to lie about where the shooting took place. He also allegedly claimed his ex-girlfriend was the one who bought the gun and she left it at his home after they broke up. Police also say Byle was in possession of Oxycodone pills while speaking to them.
Byle was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, possession of drugs with intent to use and other related offenses.
Vickers is currently in "very serious" condition and is undergoing surgery.
