Police: Gun Bristol Twp. man allegedly used in shooting purchased before conviction

Posted: Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Bristol Township police believe the gun a 67-year-old man used to allegedly shoot his grandson following a fight in their home was legally purchased.

Alfred Fluck is not allowed to own a gun because of a 1980 felony burglary conviction. Police Lt. Terry Hughes said Tuesday that police believe the gun belongs to Fluck, but it was purchased before his conviction.

Fluck is accused of shooting — then stabbing — his grandson Edward Connelly, 23, following a fight Sunday night between the two men that allegedly occurred after the younger man came home intoxicated and wanted to ride his scooter. Family members reportedly tried to stop him due to Connelly's intoxication.  

Albert Fluck

Fluck was arraigned Monday night before Lower Southampton District Judge John Waltman on two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, illegal possession of a firearm and recklessly endangering another person. He was sent to Bucks County prison in lieu of 10 percent of $1 million bail.

Bristol Township police say the incident started around 9:30 p.m. According to a probable cause affidavit, Connelly was allegedly intoxicated and tearing up the family’s home.

But before police arrived at the home in the 800 block of Linton Street, they received word from the Bucks County radio room that the dispute escalated to a stabbing, according to the affidavit. Connelly, his mother, stepfather and Fluck live in the home, police said.

What police didn’t learn until after they arrived at the scene and talked to witnesses is that Fluck allegedly shot Connelly in his back at point-blank range and later allegedly stabbed him.

Witnesses said Connelly had returned home drunk and he was acting "argumentative and belligerent" with family members, according to court documents. Witnesses told police that Connelly wanted to ride his scooter but family members were attempting to stop him because of his intoxicated condition, said Lt. Terry Hughes.

While Connelly and his stepfather were arguing, police say, Fluck came out of his bedroom, and he and Connelly started a shoving match that escalated into a fist fight.

When Connelly’s mother tried to break up the fight, she was punched in the face, police said, adding she was not treated for the injury.

Fluck, who fell during the struggle, left the room. The fight appeared over and Connelly started calming down, court documents said.

But Fluck wasn’t finished, according to officials.

He returned to the living room with a gun and shot his grandson, who was on his knees with his face against the couch, police said. Fluck allegedly fired a second round from the 32-caliber handgun near Connelly’s neck, but missed.

"(Connelly’s mother) told police that her son did not need to be shot by her father as no lives were in danger," according to the affidavit.

After shooting his grandson, Fluck returned to his bedroom and shut the door, police said. He did not say why he allegedly shot Connelly, police said.

After he was shot and injured, Connelly got up and walked outside the house briefly, police said. He returned to the house where he went to his grandfather’s bedroom and broke down the door, court papers said.

The two men started fighting again. This time, though, other people intervened. But before the men were separated, Fluck pulled out a folding knife and stabbed Connelly in the back, police said.

Connelly was taken to Aria Health’s Torresdale campus where he underwent surgery to remove a bullet from his abdomen. He was still hospitalized as of Monday morning, police said.

Fluck, who suffered facial injuries, was also taken to Lower Bucks Hospital for treatment of an undisclosed health problem but he was released Monday, police said.

Jo Ciavaglia: 215-949-4181; email: jciavaglia@phillyBurbs.com; Twitter: @jociavaglia