Perry County landlord attacked with sledgehammer and screwdriver while evicting tenants

PERRY COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) – Two people were arrested Wednesday on attempted murder charges for allegedly attacking their landlord with a sledgehammer and screwdriver, court documents show.

According to the Newport State Police indictment, Joshua Goshorn, 39, and Ashley Zellers, 38, both of Newport, attacked their landlord as he tried to change the locks after they were evicted.

The charges state that officers rushed to the 40 block of Bailey Run Street in Miller Township to respond to an attack in which a landlord was stabbed with a screwdriver and beaten with a sledgehammer shortly before 2:30 p.m.

After arriving at the scene, police say Zellers walked toward a vehicle and ignored their commands. When an officer tried to detain Zellers, she pushed them away, but was then arrested with the help of other officers. Goshorn was arrested without incident, according to state police.

Numerous interviews were conducted on site with witnesses who reported that they had observed the entire attack.

State police said they were told the duo were outside when they came around a corner of the house and attacked the landlord. According to court documents, witnesses reported Goshorn hit the man in the head with the hammer and attacked him, and then Zellers stabbed him with a screwdriver.

The landlord told police that the duo had been evicted on July 8. He had come to change the locks but was unable to get in. So he tried to remove an air conditioning unit from the window. He was attacked, the complaint states.

State police said they found the landlord had multiple head injuries.

When questioned again at the police station, the two denied using the sledgehammer and screwdriver, but admitted hitting the landlord, according to the complaint.

Goshorn and Zellers are charged with several serious crimes, including attempted murder, aggravated assault and trespassing, as well as a misdemeanor charge of simple assault. They are also accused of harassment.

The duo is in the Perry County Jail, denied bail, awaiting a preliminary hearing on July 30.