Inset: Samantha Lynn Fields (GoFundMe). Background: The home where Fields was allegedly killed by her husband, Douglas Snyder (WGAL).
A Pennsylvania man, aged 56, has been apprehended for reportedly murdering his wife, asserting that he “accidentally” shot the 38-year-old woman and then left her body at home with their young son for hours before contacting the authorities. Douglas Wayne Snyder was detained earlier this week, facing a charge of intentional homicide in the death of Samantha Lynn Fields, aged 38, according to authorities.
Snyder is also facing one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
The Pennsylvania State Police issued a news release stating that troopers from the Critical Incident Unit were called to a domestic dispute at a residence on New Valley Road at around 10:30 a.m. on Monday. Upon arrival, first responders found Fields, who had an apparent gunshot wound and was declared deceased at the location.
Investigators interviewed a man they said lived at the address, later identified as Snyder, and subsequently placed him under arrest.
Charging documents obtained by Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, CBS affiliate WHP provided additional details about what led to the fatal shooting.
As per the report, Snyder made a 911 call on Sunday morning to report the shooting, stating it had happened on Saturday evening. When officers first questioned Snyder, he confessed to the shooting but insisted it was unintentional.
“I guess I shot her by accident,” he reportedly said, adding, “I honest to god did not just shoot my wife”.
Their son was present at the scene. He informed police that when he went to bed Saturday night, his parents were okay, but stated “he woke up and saw a body and it was his mom,” as reported by Lancaster NBC affiliate WGAL .
Police subsequently took Snyder to the station for further questioning. There, he reportedly shared more details regarding the argument he had with his wife before allegedly shooting her, including her hitting him on the head with a book.
“She threw the book at me from at least 10 feet away,” Snyder reportedly told investigators. “I was pissed, I turned around, snapped and I shot her.”
After shooting his wife, Snyder said he left the residence for about 13 hours, leaving his child alone in the home with the body.
Snyder is now lodged in the Perry County Prison. His court arraignment on September 15 resulted in a denial of bond by a judge. He is slated to attend a preliminary hearing on September 23, according to court documents.
A GoFundMe page started by one of Fields’ friends said her life was taken “by a monster in an act of domestic violence.”
“Sam was a beautiful woman who put everyone else before herself,” the page said. “She loved her kids fiercely and they are now left without a Mother.”
