Woman Dies at Hospital Following Standoff with Police

Editor's Note: This story was last updated at 9:50 p.m. Thursday.

According to a hospital spokeswoman, Claire Rush, 76, has died at Allegheny General Hospital after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a standoff with police after an officer from the Washington County Sheriff's Office attempted to serve her with a protection from abuse order.

Peters police responded to the home in the 100 block of Spring Street at 4 p.m. this afternoon. The woman, identified as Claire Rush, locked herself in the residence after calling the police.

Attempts by her son and Adult Services staff to convince her to come out failed and, according to Chief Harry Freucht, she told police that if anyone tried to enter she would kill herself or burn the house down. Police fired baton rounds into the home but used no firearms.

After police saw smoke coming from the home, they kicked in a garage panel to gain entry, then axed the doors down. They found Rush in her vehicle with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Freucht said.

Firefighters from Peters, North Strabane and Houston responded to the fire. Rush was taken by ambulance to Canonsburg Lake Dam and was on standby for LifeFlight helicopter to take her to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Her husband of 10 years, Jack Rush, had filed for a protection from abuse order Wednesday because he was afraid for his safety.

Neighbors, who were out on their lawns as news helicopters circled overhead, said they have been harassed by Rush and her husband. Neighbor Mike Yeager said it has been an ongoing battle for years and he said he was upset local authorities didn't take the problem more seriously, though he also realizes their hands are tied to the law.

Other neighbors, who asked not to be identified, said Rush had intentionally hit their grandmother with a car years ago. They cited a history of domestic incidents and problems with neighbors. Jack Rush often walked the property with a concealed weapon, police said. He also slept in a shed on the property occasionally.

Police said the department has received random reports by neighbors. The couple's driveway often was chained off and in large spray-painted letters had the message: No turnaround, don't block.

Stay tuned to Patch for developing details.