- Times Leader

First Posted:

Jen Marckini [email protected]
EXETER – A 16-year-old borough boy who was shot in his chest Wednesday night remains hospitalized in Plains Township.

A man who was a friend of the victim’s was charged Thursday in connection with the accidental shooting.
Matthew Abline, a sophomore at Wyoming Area Secondary Center, was in stable condition Thursday at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said.
Abline underwent surgery for a gunshot wound below the throat in what family and authorities said was an accidental shooting at a Schooley Avenue apartment.
“He’s not really talking a lot,” said the boy’s sister, Crystal, 18. “They had him sitting up today, and he’s off the ventilator breathing on his own. We’re just hoping for the best and a good recovery.”
On the night of the shooting, Crystal said she was in her bedroom when she heard commotion downstairs at their home, 500 Schooley Ave., Apt. 148, shortly before 9:30 p.m.
The teen told his family he had been accidentally shot with a .22-caliber handgun at the apartment of his friend, John J. Krantz Jr., who lives in the same complex in a nearby building. The boy said his friend was showing him the gun he had just bought when it went off, Crystal said.
Krantz, 25, of 500 Schooley Ave., Apt. 141, was charged with a firearm violation after surrendering to police on Thursday afternoon.
For the complete story, see Friday’s Times Leader.