CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Court documents reviewed by exploreClarion.com have revealed that a Clarion man facing criminal homicide charges has admitted to fatally shooting his girlfriend at a Lake Lucy trailer court.
Damien Lawrence Ditz, 22, was taken into custody late Tuesday after a search warrant was executed at his 24 East 8th Avenue residence.
The below charges, which stem from the March 1 shooting of Katrina Seaburn, 22, were filed against Ditz as part of a joint investigation between Marienville-based State Police and the Clarion County District Attorney’s Office.
- Criminal Homicide, Felony 1
- Aggravated Assault, Felony 1
- Aggravated Assault, Felony 2
- Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2 (2 counts)
- Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2
The charge of general Criminal Homicide encompasses Murder of the first, second and third degrees, as well as Voluntary and Involuntary Manslaughter, according to the Clarion County District Attorney’s office.
Details of the Shooting
According to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday by Marienville-based State Police Tpr. Shawn Nicewonger, police were dispatched to 1110 Lake Lucy Road on March 1 around 5:43 p.m. for a report of a shooting.
Tpr. Nicewonger was called to the scene along with various other State Police personnel, including Cpl. Milliard, Sgt. Bettwy, Tpr. Watters, and Tpr. Freeman.
While en route to the parking area of Hartzell Trailer Court, it was reported that a female, later identified as Seaburn, had died after being shot in the chest.
The criminal complaint states that Seaburn suffered a gunshot wound to the chest while seated in the front passenger side of her Suzuki SX4.
The victim’s boyfriend, identified as Damien Ditz, was in the driver’s seat when the gun went off.
Clarion County Coroner Terry Shaffer was dispatched around 6:15 p.m. and pronounced Seaburn dead at the scene. Autopsy results confirmed that Seaburn died as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest.
Ditz Interviewed at PSP Marienville
Ditz was interviewed on March 1 around 9 p.m. by Tpr. Nicewonger and Tpr. Watters.
During the interview, Ditz told police that he was driving Seaburn’s vehicle and making a left turn into Hartzell Trailer Court when a Glock 37 handgun slid off the dash and impacted the center console, causing it to discharge and strike the victim in the chest.
Ditz claimed that he placed the loaded gun on the dash the previous night, according to the criminal complaint.
The criminal complaint states that Ditz then altered his story, stating that when the firearm slid off the dash, he caught it. According to Ditz, the firearm then discharged as he attempted to place it in the back seat of the vehicle.
Police: Ditz Admits to Shooting Seaburn
Following a three-month long investigation into the shooting, Ditz was asked to submit to a polygraph examination and an additional interview.
“This was requested to clarify details about the shooting as discrepancies were discovered in his account of the incident,” said Nicewonger in the criminal complaint.
Police say Ditz admitted his previous statements were false during a polygraph examination conducted by Tpr. Higgins and Tpr. Mallory on June 20 around 11 a.m.
Ditz explained that he and the victim were arguing about money as he was driving into the parking area of the trailer court.
According to the criminal complaint, Ditz told investigators that he was angry at the victim and “lost his temper.”
The criminal complaint states Ditz disclosed to police that he pointed the gun at Seaburn, knowing that it was loaded, and it discharged.
Ditz then told police that he didn’t intentionally pull the trigger, according to the criminal complaint.
However, a release issued Wednesday by Clarion County District Attorney Mark Aaron indicated that investigators believe Ditz’s acts were, in fact, intentional.
“It is alleged that the evidence in the case indicates that Ditz intentionally killed Seaburn,” said Aaron.
Ditz was arraigned before on-call Magisterial District Judge Duane Quinn Tuesday evening and committed to the Clarion County Jail without bail. Under Pennsylvania Law, bail is not set in a case where first-degree Murder is charged, as life in prison is a possible punishment.
Ditz faces a preliminary hearing on June 27 at 8:30 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Timothy P. Schill.
Seaburn was a Clarion University student originally from the Curwensville area.
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