SCRANTON, PA – A deadly confrontation unfolded inside a Lowe’s home improvement store near Scranton early Saturday morning, leaving one employee dead and another facing murder charges following an alleged dispute that authorities say had simmered for months.
Christopher Wasnetsky, 36, is accused of shooting and killing 44-year-old Jeffrey Moeller, a father of three, after months of reported workplace conflict and complaints to human resources. Police say the shooting happened just after midnight at the Lowe’s on Viewmont Drive. Officers responding to the scene found Moeller lying in a pool of blood, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
According to investigators, Wasnetsky approached Moeller, who was operating a forklift on the sales floor, pulled a handgun from a shopping cart, and fired several shots at close range. Surveillance footage reviewed by authorities reportedly captured the attack, showing Moeller attempting to crawl away before Wasnetsky fired additional rounds.
Emergency responders rushed Moeller to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries. Shortly after the shooting, Wasnetsky allegedly called 911 to report the incident, telling the dispatcher he was responsible. He later cited ongoing harassment as the motive, claiming his concerns about Moeller had been ignored by store management.
The criminal complaint states that prior to the shooting, Wasnetsky sent an email to human resources expressing frustration and warning of potential violence if his grievances were not addressed. Despite his claims, the store manager reportedly told detectives that previous internal investigations found no evidence to support Wasnetsky’s allegations against Moeller.
During police interviews, Wasnetsky repeated his statements about harassment and said he brought a gun to work with the intent to retaliate and then take his own life. Detectives say he admitted to practicing firing the weapon ahead of the attack.
Moeller’s family disputes the claims of harassment, insisting that Moeller had, in fact, reported unsettling behavior by Wasnetsky to human resources on multiple occasions. “My brother Jeffrey’s life was senselessly and violently taken,” his sister wrote on a fundraising page established for the family, describing him as a devoted husband and proud father who worked overnight shifts to be with his daughters during the day.
Lowe’s released a statement expressing sorrow for the loss and assured that it is cooperating with law enforcement, emphasizing the safety of employees and customers as its top priority.
Wasnetsky was arrested at the scene and remains in Lackawanna County Prison without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 30 as the investigation into the tragic incident continues.