Shooter Pleads Guilty for Death During Jefferson at the Creek Standoff

The Warminster man who exchanged gunfire with Warminster police last February from his apartment at the Jefferson on the Creek apartment complex has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder for the death of his 89-year-old neighbor who was killed in the crossfire, the Intelligencer reports.

According to the report, Andrew Cairns, 50, will serve 14 to 30 years in prison, a sentence determined by the plea bargain with prosecutors. He will then serve 10 years probation and undergo treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues.

Marie Zienkewicz was struck and killed by a bullet fired by a police rifle when she opened her door to assist her neighbor and Cairns' girlfriend. Police believed she was Cairns and fire at her. The Bucks County district attorney said that Cairns' actions created the situation that caused Zienkewicz's death.