Topline: A 28-year-old man is jailed without bail after state police said his father was found dead when troopers answered a reported shooting in Cook Township.
Published: August 18, 2026 10:04 pm ET
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COOK TOWNSHIP, PA — A 28-year-old man is accused of killing his father after Pennsylvania State Police responded to a reported shooting Saturday on Lawrence Lane in Cook Township and found 59-year-old Edward Lawrence Jr. dead at the scene.
Investigators later charged the victim’s son, Cody Lawrence, with criminal homicide in the case. He was taken into custody and is being held without bail at the Westmoreland County Prison.
According to WPXI’s report, state police said troopers were called to Lawrence Lane for the reported shooting and identified the victim as Edward Lawrence Jr. Authorities had not released additional details about what led to the killing as of Sunday morning.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Son Charged With Homicide in Father’s Death in Westmoreland County
A 28-year-old man is jailed without bail after state police said his father was found dead when troopers answered a reported shooting in Cook Township.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: August 18, 2026 10:04 pm ET
COOK TOWNSHIP, PA — A 28-year-old man is accused of killing his father after Pennsylvania State Police responded to a reported shooting Saturday on Lawrence Lane in Cook Township and found 59-year-old Edward Lawrence Jr. dead at the scene.
Investigators later charged the victim’s son, Cody Lawrence, with criminal homicide in the case. He was taken into custody and is being held without bail at the Westmoreland County Prison.
According to WPXI’s report, state police said troopers were called to Lawrence Lane for the reported shooting and identified the victim as Edward Lawrence Jr. Authorities had not released additional details about what led to the killing as of Sunday morning.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Son Charged With Homicide in Father’s Death in Westmoreland County
A 28-year-old man is jailed without bail after state police said his father was found dead when troopers answered a reported shooting in Cook Township.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: August 18, 2026 10:04 pm ET
COOK TOWNSHIP, PA — A 28-year-old man is accused of killing his father after Pennsylvania State Police responded to a reported shooting Saturday on Lawrence Lane in Cook Township and found 59-year-old Edward Lawrence Jr. dead at the scene.
Investigators later charged the victim’s son, Cody Lawrence, with criminal homicide in the case. He was taken into custody and is being held without bail at the Westmoreland County Prison.
According to WPXI’s report, state police said troopers were called to Lawrence Lane for the reported shooting and identified the victim as Edward Lawrence Jr. Authorities had not released additional details about what led to the killing as of Sunday morning.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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