SAYLORSBURG -- A father from the Poconos is locked up after police say he stabbed his son during a fight. The man's son is now dead and the coroner has ruled it a homicide.
The death Saturday night has rattled the neighborhood. Many neighbors can’t believe a fight between that father and son, left one of them dead. The man's son died hours later at the hospital.
Troopers tell us a fight took place at a home on Tulip Lane in Saylorsburg Saturday night.
According to police, Thomas Howard, 35, was taken to the hospital Saturday after he got into a fight with his father 62-year-old Thomas Howard.
One neighbor said their private community in Saylorsburg is normally quiet and everyone gets along. It happened at the Saylor's Lake private community in Saylorsburg.
“They were good people,” said Roger Tita.
Tita is a neighbor and has been friends with the Howard family for years. Tita said when the son was younger, he would always lend a hand.
“I’ve known him since he was 12. Been here since '92. He was a good kid.”
The coroner has ruled the death homicide but Howard’s father has been charged only with aggravated assault as state police continue their investigation.
Tita said the father was a marine for 25 years but was always very quiet.
“I never seen any aggression out of Tom Senior, ever. Never. Our kids hung out and they'd beat each other up, you know, how kids do that stuff, but Tom, I never (saw) him physical with his children, never, ever.”
According to court documents, Howard called police Saturday night yelling that he stabbed his son. When police arrived on scene, the father was taken into custody without a fight.
Troopers said they found Thomas Howard, Jr. on the front porch of this home which is just across the street from his home. Troopers said when they found him, he was sitting in the fetal position, bleeding, and they believe he was stabbed with a bladed object.
“This is all a shock to us all, a lot of us are still wondering why,” added Tita.
Troopers said when they arrested Thomas Howard, he didn't appear to be upset.
He is locked up in the Monroe County jail charged with aggravated assault.
State police are still investigating.