by Jonathan Weaver
A Butler County man was sentenced in the Armstrong County Courthouse Tuesday after he shot at a Rayburn Township gentlemen’s club New Years Day.
Thomas Shuler, 28 of Butler, pled guilty to a misdemeanor count of simple assault and another of recklessly endangering another person at the end of June for his actions outside of Teaser’s Gentlemen’s Club January 1.
According to the state police report, Shuler shot six rounds at the exterior of the building early that morning before driving away. Six were found that hit the door, with two piercing the wall behind the door.
Dancer Leah McGee was one of five people inside and told police that Shuler was her ex-boyfriend. She had received phone calls and communication from Shuler all during that evening upset about the break-up.
Shuler later called McGee and told her that he was going to “shoot everyone involved, including the police who responded” and wanted to commit “suicide by cop.”
Before President Judge Kenneth Valasek Tuesday, Shuler was sentenced to two years of probation – and all supervision and court fees -, to pay the club $800 in damages and complete 50 hours of community service. He is also not allowed to revisit the establishment.
Shuler did have a concealed weapons permit at the time of the incident, as well as handguns registered to himself. He now has to refrain from use or possession of such, including for hunting purposes.
Nine of the 15 charges against Shuler with withdrawn.