Williamsport, Pa. — A man feeding wildlife attracted a family of black bears to his property that he ultimately shot and killed, police say.
Shawn Paul Zimmerman of Williamsport told officers with the Pennsylvania Game Commission “they are gone” after allegedly shooting the mother and two cubs, Officer Helen Karp said. Officers had been at Zimmerman's home the previous day after he reported shooting a black bear five times after it came onto his property, Karp added.
Zimmerman called Central Dispatch on June 24 to report bears causing problems on his property, according to the complaint. The 62-year-old Williamsport man asked if he could shoot the bear, telling the dispatcher it was his preferred method to handle the situation.
Zimmerman claimed the bears attacked his chickens and dogs. He allegedly told the dispatcher if he saw them again, he would shoot them.
Zimmerman was told not to shoot the bears and wait for instructions from a game warden, according to the affidavit. Officer Helen Karp and Geril Schoonmaker went to Zimmerman’s property in the 100 block of Bennardi Development Road to inspect damage from the bears, Karp said.
No damage was found on Zimmerman’s land and his dogs and chickens were unharmed, according to Karp. Investigators did find a feeder and large barrel at the wood line, Karp added. Zimmerman allegedly told officers it was his “sweet feed” for deer he called his pets.
Karp told Zimmerman to stop feeding the animals and keep his pets inside to see if the bears would stop showing up, according to the report. Several hours later, Zimmerman called dispatch a second time to report he had shot one of the animals, Karp wrote in the affidavit. Zimmerman claimed the bear was injured from the shot. He then told dispatch he located the bear and shot it in the head, Karp said. When asked how many times he shot the bear, Zimmerman reportedly said, “I don’t have to say that. Why do you need to know that?” He then allegedly admitted to shooting it five times.
Game Commission officers responded to Zimmerman’s home. He was agitated and would not let officers speak with a witness alone, charges say. Zimmerman admitted to shooting the bear, but made claims that sounded like multiple bears had been killed, Karp wrote. Zimmerman said his dog chased the bear as he went inside to get his gun, Karp added.
Zimmerman was aggressive and argumentative with officers as they attempted to speak with him, according to the report. At one point, he pushed past an officer who had to step back to avoid being knocked backwards, Karp said.
Due to Zimmerman’s behavior, investigators were unable to find shell casings, ammunition, or check his animals for injuries.
Zimmerman called dispatch a third time on June 25, telling them a sow and two cubs were on his property. Zimmerman allegedly told them the bears “need to be eliminated” and that he was going to shoot the animals.
Zimmerman called back a short time later, telling dispatch the bears were “gone forever” and wouldn’t be calling them again. Zimmerman allegedly chased the bears down with his four-wheeler before shooting them.
Investigators found an unmarked suppressor at Zimmerman’s home after executing a search warrant on the property. As they searched the area, Zimmerman became emotional, telling officers “please shoot me, please just shoot me” multiple times, arrest papers say. He then threw chairs and punched furniture at his home, according to Karp. Three officers were needed to subdue Zimmerman and place him into handcuffs, Karp added.
EMS was called for Zimmerman, who claimed to be having a heart attack while being taken to a cruiser. Zimmerman was cleared by EMS.
“During the multiple phone calls and encounters with Zimmerman, officers have received conflicting statements and an unclear timeline and number of bears kills or injured,” Karp said.
Zimmerman is being charged with unlawful killing of big game, resisting arrest, and illegal possession of a suppressor. He is being held on $10,000 monetary bail at the Lycoming County Prison.
Docket sheet
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