AN APPARENT ARGUMENT MONDAY NIGHT TURNED DEADLY WHEN A WOMAN WAS KILLED INSIDE HER HOME

     “Residents Of A Quiet Warren County Neighborhood Are Struggling To Come To Terms With The Shooting Death Of A 58-Year-Old Woman.”

Wednesday, February 14, 2024, 11:45 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

COLUMBIA, NJ.- Residents of a Quiet Columbia Neighborhood are trying to come to terms with a Shooting that Claimed the Life of 58-Year-Old Cheryl Schilling, who was Fatally Shot by a Friend of her Husband Monday Night inside their Columbia Street Home. Following The Shooting, her Husband’s Friend succumbs to a Medical Issue at a Pennsylvania Hospital. 

     According to Warren County Prosecutor James L. Pfeiffer, on Monday, February 12, 2024, shortly before 8:00 p.m., The Warren County Communications Center received a 911 Emergency Call reporting a Shooting at 3 Columbia Street in Columbia, New Jersey. Members of The New Jersey State Police, The Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, and Emergency Medical Services Personnel responded.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers and First Responders found Cheryl Schilling, 58, inside her Bedroom suffering from Gunshot Wounds. Despite Life-Saving Efforts, Mrs. Schilling succumbed to her Injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

     The ensuing investigation revealed that earlier in the day, Armond Anthony Avitable, 38, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania was involved in a Domestic Dispute with a Woman at his Residence. Mr. Avitable called his Friend Kevin Schilling, looking for a place to stay. Mr. Schilling traveled to East Stroudsburg picking up Avitable and then the Two Returned to Mr. Schilling’s Columbia Home. 

     Authorities reported that Mr. Schilling and Mr. Avitable arrived at Mr. Schilling’s Residence around 6:00 p.m., where Schilling resides with his Wife Cheryl. An hour or so after arriving an altercation ensued between the Schillings and Mr. Avitable. Mr. Avitable became Agitated and Aggressive, going downstairs in the Schilling’s Residence and retrieving a Pump Action Shotgun, Firing One Shot. Kevin and Cheryl then ran to an Upstairs Bedroom and Closed the Door. Avitable then followed them Upstairs, Opened the Bedroom Door, and Fired Two Shots, Striking Cheryl in the Arm and in her Upper Left Chest. 

     Mr. Avitable then Exited the House into The Back/Side Yard area where he noticed the Neighbors sitting and enjoying an Outdoor Fire. Avitable approached the neighbors and told them he fired because Mr. Schilling was “Coming For Him,” Avitable told the neighbors that is when he Fired the Two Shotgun Blasts at the Schilling Home. 

     Avitable left the Shotgun on the Neighbor’s Property and Fled the area. Avitable was located by New Jersey State Troopers a Short Distance away near the Intersection of Route 46 and Route 80. Avitable engaged in a Physical Altercation with Troopers eventually being Subdued. Avitable was Taken into Custody, and within Minutes of Being Handcuffed, Avitable suffered a Medical Emergency. CPR and Medical Aid were Rendered and Mr. Avitable was immediately transported to Lehigh Valley Pocono Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased at the Hospital at 8:28 p.m.