Woman dies after being shot in head at party

ETTERS, Pa. (AP) — Authorities in central Pennsylvania say a woman was shot in the head while trying to defend a party guest being assaulted by member of the band she hired.

The York County coroner’s office said 28-year-old Melissa Barnes was pronounced dead at around 4 a.m. Sunday.

Police say hours earlier she confronted 29-year-old Paul Hansen, a musician she hired for an annual party, after witnesses reported seeing him threaten a party guest.

Newberry Township Police Chief John Snyder said Barnes tried to intervene and Hansen pulled a gun from his waistband and shot her in the head. He was tackled by other guests and held until police arrived.

Hansen is charged with homicide, assault, reckless endangerment and related counts. He remains in York County Prison without bail and could not be reached for comment.