March 14—The 27-year-old Scranton man who was fatally shot in the head Sunday in the Hill section was remembered Tuesday as a gentleman when he worked as a caregiver at St. Joseph’s Center .
Police have identified him as David John Dessler. He was pronounced dead at Geisinger Community Medical Center at around 10:20 p.m. Monday, according to a statement released Tuesday.
The shooting happened on the 300 block of Schultz Court shortly before 11 p.m. The ambulance took Deshler to GCMC as a trauma victim.
Gary Biscontini, who worked with Deshler for the past few years, said investigators asked those at work whether Deshler had ever mentioned anyone who had made threats against him, but Deshler did not. It’s hard for Biscontini to imagine who would want to hurt him.
“He wanted people to be happy and to smile,” said Biscontini, 53, of Old Forge. “Who was he.”
The motive behind the shooting is not clear and the police investigation is on. Detective Lt. Robert Brenzell said nothing was known about nearby surveillance for the overdose victim.
Police are asking for the public’s help in solving the case and that anyone with information should call the Detective Bureau at 570-348-4139.
“If you have cameras and live in the area where the incident took place, we would also like to speak to you,” police said in a statement.
Anonymous tips may also be submitted on the Department’s website.
The cause and manner of death is pending for post-mortem. Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland said that after Deshler is released from the care of the Gift of Life Donor Program to determine an organ donor, an autopsy will be performed.
The idea of Deshler donating his organs didn’t surprise Biscottini. Deshler shared what he had with others.
On Friday night, Dessler mentions that he will buy a large energy drink for Biscontini to start their shift together on Monday.
As soon as Monday came, the discussion had spread on social media that Deshler had been shot.
“Prayers for this tough man,” began a Facebook post Biscontini wrote at 1:16 p.m. Monday.
Deshler died nine hours later.
A GoFundMe set up by Deshler’s family sought $5,000 to assist with necessary funeral expenses “caused by the anger”. Campaign raised $380 as of 5:10 p.m. ET
Contact the author: [email protected], 570-348-9100, x5187; @jkohutTT on Twitter.