Kyle Varney ARRESTED;- The Lancaster Police Department has made public body camera footage that captures an officer’s initial reaction to what is currently being investigated as a double homicide, which occurred on Tuesday.
According to police reports, an officer was dispatched to a residence located in the 1200 block of North Broad Street at approximately 5:30 p.m. in response to a call regarding a man, later identified as 26-year-old Kyle Varney, who was described as “acting out of the ordinary and in need of evaluation.” The 911 caller indicated that no violence was occurring and that Varney did not have access to any weapons. The audio of the call is available for listening.
Upon the officer’s arrival at the scene at 5:42 p.m., a woman is seen on the video approaching the officer and informing him that two family members had been killed. She is also heard stating, “he’s got a shotgun.” Moments later, screams can be heard on the body camera footage, with the woman exclaiming, “he just shot her.” Police reports indicate that Varney discharged a firearm at another woman present at the scene.
The body camera footage reveals the officer taking cover behind his patrol vehicle and discharging three rounds. According to police, Varney ceased his advance toward the woman and dropped his weapon to the ground. The officer reported that Varney then retreated to the rear of the house.
At 5:44 p.m., the initial officer, along with another officer, can be heard attempting to communicate with a woman who had sustained a gunshot wound in the front yard, asking if she could crawl or walk toward them. The officers were also preparing a shield for protection as they moved closer to her.
Two minutes later, while the officers were attempting to reach the injured woman, Varney emerged from the back of the house unarmed. With their weapons drawn, the officers instructed Varney to raise his hands and approach them. Varney complied, walking and then crawling toward the officers, who subsequently took him into custody.
Police have confirmed that Varney sustained at least one gunshot wound, although it has not been specified whether this injury was caused by the officer’s gunfire. Two officers rendered aid to the woman who had been shot at the scene and transported her to a nearby medic in their patrol vehicle. She was later taken to a hospital. Police Chief Nicholas Snyder stated on Tuesday night that the woman had been shot in the incident.
