A Levittown man will not be charged after a shooting outside a bar in that left two people dead.
On Thursday during a press conference, Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub said Liam Hughes, 21, will not face charges after an investigation into the October 7 shooting in the parking lot of Steam Pub in Upper Southampton Township.
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Weintraub said Hughes acted in self defense and the two men killed and another who survived were the aggressors.
Weintraub said he found Hughes did not act criminally.
“The circumstances were such that he had no option,” the district attorney said.
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The decision came after Bucks County Detectives and Upper Southampton Township police talked to witnesses and reviewed surveillance video.
The district attorney’s office released the following statement on the events:
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Liam Hughes and a friend were returning to Hughes’ car on the night of Oct. 7, 2022, after leaving the Steam Pub, 606 Second Street Pike, Southampton PA 18966, when a group of men gathered near his car confronted and attacked him.
Three men pummeled Hughes during the attack, punching and striking him in the face and head and knocking him to the ground where they continued the assault. Hughes attempted to get into his vehicle but was being actively pulled out by one of the attackers.
Hughes had to reach behind with his right arm while being attacked and was able to get his hand on his weapon that was between the driver’s seat and the center console. He warned the assailants that he had a weapon and told them to stop. The men continued the attack, and Hughes opened fire, killing two of his assailants and injuring a third man.
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Right after the shooting, 9-1-1 was called by Hughes and he reported he was attacked and fired shots, authorities said.
Multiple other 9-1-1 calls came in from others and police from numerous Bucks and Montgomery County police departments were called to the scene. Several ambulances were also dispatched.
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The two deceased were named as Steven Panebianco, 30, of Bensalem, and Raymond Farrell, 28, of Philadelphia.
Richard Bowman, 24, of Philadelphia, suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was taken to St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown Township. He will not be charged.
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Michael Michell, 24, was charged with simple assault for punching Hughes and his friend at least four times during the incident. He was not shot.
Weinbtraub said Hughes has served as a U.S. Army reservist for the past 3 1/2 years and had held a valid concealed weapons permit. His handgun was purchased legally.
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The district attorney also said 5-foot-6 and 140 pounds Hughes was “considerably” smaller than the attackers he shot. He suffered several injuries, including a concussion and bruising, during the incident.
Hughes was reported to be very cooperative with police.
Hughes was not found to be intoxicated, but he said he had ingested marijuana the day prior, the district attorney said.
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“It is tragic what occurred, but Mr. Hughes is a law abiding citizen and an active member of our military who did absolutely nothing wrong in this case,” Hughes’ attorney said in a statement to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“District Attorney Weintraub met with Panebianco’s family to explain his decision. The District Attorney attempted to do the same with the Farrell family, but they declined to meet at this time,” Weintraub’s office said.
