Rostraver Township, PA – Rostraver Township Police Department and Westmoreland County Detective Bureau responded to a reported shooting on the 900 block of Route 136 just before 11 p.m. on Wednesday evening.

The 911 call, made by a child living inside the residence, reported a female was shot.

Officers encountered Robert Chaplin, 34, outside of the residence in the driveway.  

The victim was found lying on the basement floor of the home near a basement door.

She was transported to Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital where she was pronounced deceased an hour later.

The victim was identified as 35-year-old Estela Rivera Vasquez.

Police recovered several spent shell casings and a black firearm on the basement floor near the victim.

Vasquez had a single gunshot wound to the right side of her chest.

Chaplin was identified as the live-in boyfriend of Vasquez.

The three children living in the home at the time are safe and being cared for by relatives.

Chaplin was charged with criminal homicide and denied bail.

District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli and Rostraver Township Police Chief Scott Sokol thank first responders from Rostraver Township Police, County Detectives, Pennsylvania State Police Belle Vernon, Monessen Police, West Newton Police, and Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services personnel for their cooperation with this investigation.  

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.