Mount Pleasant Township, PA -- Pennsylvania State Police, in conjunction with the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office, filed a count of criminal homicide against a Mount Pleasant Township man accused of shooting and killing his uncle. 

State police responded to Low Street in Mount Pleasant Township on June 20, 2026 for a reported shooting. 

Joshua Lowry, 45, called 911 and relayed that he shot his uncle, Bruce Kasiewicz, after he let him inside of the residence. 

Kasiewicz was located just outside of the bedroom inside of the home with a single gunshot wound to the chest. 

Lowry relayed to emergency responders that he was awakened by Kasiewicz knocking on the window of his bedroom in an attempt to enter the residence. 

Upon entering the residence, Lowry told investigators he overheard Kasiewicz talking about terminating the utilities to the residence prior to a previously agreed upon eviction date. 

Lowry told police Kasiewicz was holding a child's wooden oar when he approached Lowry's bedroom. 

Lowry allegedly told police he believed Kasiewicz was going to harm him and grabbed a muzzleloader from his bedroom and fired one shot at the victim, striking him in the chest. 

State police examined the scene, the victim, and Lowry, and did not indicate or observe that a physical altercation or an attempted physical altercation took place prior to the shooting. 

In addition, Lowry did not perform any life-saving measures on Kasiewicz or provide first aid following the shooting, according to investigators. 

Kasiewicz's death was ruled a homicide. 

Lowry is facing a single count of criminal homicide and was denied bail. 

Disclaimer: To the extent that pending criminal matters are discussed, all such charges are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.