Cook Township, PA -- Pennsylvania State Police charged a Cook Township man with the fatal shooting of his father over the weekend. 

State police responded to a residence on Lawrence Lane in Cook Township on August 15, 2026 for a reported shooting. 

The victim's wife relayed to state police that her son, Cody Lawrence, 28, intervened in an ongoing argument between her and her husband and shot him. 

When state police arrived on scene, they observed the victim lying near the garage of a nearby residence. 

The victim was identified as Edward Lawrence, Jr., 59, and was declared deceased at the scene. 

Cody Lawrence was identified by investigators and detained for questioning.

Cody Lawrence relayed to state police that he observed his father reaching for a gun in his waistband and the two fought over the gun before it went off. 

Cody claimed a pocketknife fell out of his sweatshirt during the struggle and believed his father also may have been stabbed. 

State police observed a wound consistent with a gunshot wound to Lawrence's back in addition to two stab wounds on his back. 

The victim's wife told troopers she and her husband were bickering throughout the day. After an argument later in the day, she heard a loud noise and saw Cody and Edward Lawrence emerge from the front door of the residence and Edward exclaimed he was shot. 

Upon searching the property, troopers located a pistol concealed near the front entrance and a folding knife nearby. 

State police concluded that no physical evidence or interviews indicated the victim's wife was in danger at the time of the shooting and there was no physical evidence indicating Cody Lawrence was involved in an altercation. 

Cody Lawrence was charged with criminal homicide and 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.