01-05-2025
Police: Teen targeted by gunfire after Richland workplace dispute
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A workplace dispute at a Galleria Drive furniture store ended with gunfire Saturday, and two men charged in a drive-by shooting against a juvenile male, police said.
While no one was struck in the shooting, one of the rounds struck and damaged a plate glass window at a former Toys 'R' Us store in Richland Township, Richland police Chief Rick Pollino said.
Kevin Heidemann, 33, of Lorain Borough, is accused of firing three rounds at a 17-year-old while riding past in a sedan Saturday.
His brother, Westley Heidemann, was driving the car at the time, police said.
According to a criminal complaint, the incident occurred a short time after Westley Heidemann, 35, got into an altercation with a separate co-worker at Ashley Furniture – and the gunfire was targeting a teen associated with the man.
The people involved, including the juvenile, were subcontractors providing services to the furniture store, according to Pollino. In a criminal complaint, police wrote Westley Heidemann retrieved a red bag from his box truck and left the property after he had to be separated twice from the other man.
According to police, witnesses reported Westley and Kevin Heidemann were spotted in the area brandishing a firearm. The siblings allegedly threatened to kill the man who Westley Heidemann allegedly fought with a short time earlier.
The Heidemann brothers allegedly approached the business in a Pontiac as the man's family pulled up to pick up a juvenile from work – and Kevin Heidemann extended his arm out of the passenger side window.
Then he opened fire, discharging three rounds, police said.
Pollino said no one was struck by gunfire, but one round hit the former Toys 'R' Us store's front window.
Police said they were still investigating the incident this week, but that witnesses at the seen reported hearing gunfire and surveillance video was used to help them identify suspects in the shooting.
Westley Heidemann, the vehicle's driver, was taken into custody Saturday at his Ohio Street residence in Lorain, Pollino said.
A search warrant executed on the property enabled police to recover the weapon believed to be involved, and Kevin Heidemann was arrested Sunday, he said.
Kevin Heidemann is accused of aggravated assault, terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person.
He was lodged in Cambria County Prison in Ebensburg after failing to post 10% of his $90,000 bond.
Westley Heidemann is accused of conspiracy to aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person.
He was lodged in Cambria County Prison after failing to post 10% of $80,000 bond, online court documents show.
Preliminary hearings before District Judge Rick Varner are currently set for May 22, online dockets show.
