HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- State police have started what they call a "death investigation," not yet ruling out suicide, homicide or an accident in the shooting of a Westmoreland County teenager.

Police and the county district attorney's office are looking for answers about the death of Louis Farrell, 14, whose body was found behind his family's home in Hempfield Township over the weekend.

A gun found at the scene is registered to state Sen. Bob Regola, the Farrells' next-door neighbor on Glenmeade Road, District Atorney John Peck said.

The gun is still being tested to determine if it was used to kill Farrell, state police Capt. Harvey Cole said on Tuesday.

Though the investigation is in its early stages, Peck said it does not appear likely that Regola will face charges.

Farrell had access to Regola's house because he was taking care of pets while the senator was in Harrisburg, according to an affidavit for a search warrant.

Investigators would not say where Regola's gun had been stored. It did not have a trigger lock and was not locked away, but it "wasn't left out in an area where anyone would normally see it," Peck said.

Gun owners in Pennsylvania aren't legally required to use trigger locks or keep guns locked away, Peck said, "but you are required not to be reckless in the way you store them" -- for example, not leaving a gun on a table at home with young children nearby.

"That element doesn't jump out at you in this particular case," Peck said.

Regola's attorney, Mark Rush, confirmed the gun was licensed to Regola and said the senator is cooperating in the investigation.

---

Related Links:
More Westmoreland County News

---