Chainsaw-wielding man in 'Scream' costume accused of killing next-door neighbor

LEHIGHTON, Pa. (TCD) -- A 30-year-old man who wore a costume resembling the villain in the horror movie franchise "Scream" was arrested for allegedly stabbing his neighbor to death and attacking him with a chainsaw.

On Monday, March 25, at 3:30 p.m., Lehighton Borough Police Department officers were called to a home on Carbon Street regarding an assault in progress and found a 59-year-old victim with life-threatening injuries. The man was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Officers learned the suspect left the area on foot, so they took precautions to "safeguard the community residents and school children who were actively being released from school." The Times News Online reports sport practices went into lockdown and students were escorted to cars by police officers. They later identified a suspect and traced him to a home, also on Carbon Street, where he was reportedly barricaded inside.

State troopers then took over the investigation from the Lehighton Borough Police Department.

According to court documents cited by Lehigh Valley Live, the suspect, Zak Moyer, allegedly went to Edward Whitehead Jr.'s home dressed as the "Scream" slasher with a knife and chainsaw "for the purpose of scaring him." The documents allege Moyer hit Whitehead in the head with the chainsaw and knife, then left the home through the back.

Whitehead reportedly sustained wounds to his head, arms, and hands.

While barricaded, Moyer reportedly communicated with Pennsylvania State Police by writing notes and claiming Whitehead committed various crimes. State Police Trooper Anthony Petroski, however, said the allegations Moyer made are "not something we are looking into."

State police eventually took Moyer into custody on a charge of criminal homicide.

Days before the attack, Moyer allegedly told his sister he "wanted to kill Ed the neighbor." After the stabbing, he allegedly went home and watched a movie. Police searched his house and found the chainsaw, knife, and "Scream" costume.

MORE:

• Press release - Lehighton Borough Police Department
• Homicide Investigation - Pennsylvania State Police
• 'Scream' costume-clad man wielding chainsaw, knife kills neighbor in Carbon County, police say - Lehigh Valley Live
• Lehighton man used chainsaw in killing, police say - Times News Online
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Zak Moyer