EASTON, Pa. — Authorities said Wednesday they have arrested a man who Tuesday evening allegedly killed his in-laws at their home in a 55+ community in Palmer Township.
Xiaomin Fei, 34, of Nazareth, was charged with two counts of criminal homicide, reckless endangerment, burglary and possessing instruments of a crime, the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office said.
Officials said Fei fatally shot Robert and Gretchen Ackerman on Tuesday night after arriving at the home in the Highlands at Glenmoor.
Fei’s wife and two sons also were present, but were unharmed, police said.
Fei is a Chinese national and an American citizen, District Attorney Stephen Baratta said.
According to Palmer Township police, officers were called to scene shortly before 7 p.m. for a reported domestic disturbance.
Sgt. Tyson Unangst confirmed that at least two emergency calls were placed.
When police arrived, they confronted a male holding a gun, authorities said. The man dropped the weapon after initially not complying with police orders, and was detained.
Fei was denied bail and is being held at Northampton County Prison.
Gun bought hours before shooting
Authorities said Fei had purchased the weapon, a revolver, less than 24 hours before the shooting.
Asked whether a Chinese national can legally purchase a firearm, Palmer Township Police Chief Wayne Smith said, “We’re going to look into that as part of our investigation.”
“There was some divorce papers being delivered to him, as well. He was made aware of it. But at this time, we're still finding out some more information, because it's still a preliminary investigation.”Palmer Township Police Sgt. Tyson Unangst
Officials said they could not confirm where the weapon was purchased or how many shots were fired at the scene.
Police stated Fei was exhibiting suicidal tendencies when they arrived.
The victims were found in the home on the floor. Robert Ackerman was pronounced dead at the scene, while Gretchen Ackerman died later at a nearby hospital, authorities said.
Fei’s two sons, 5 and 4 years of age, were located in a room on the first floor of the residence adjacent to the shooting.
Authorities said they could not confirm a motive for the shooting at the time of the conference.
“There was some divorce papers being delivered to him, as well," Unangst said. "He was made aware of it.
"But at this time, we're still finding out some more information, because it's still a preliminary investigation.”
Officers' response lauded
Baratta said the door to the home had been locked, and Fei had broken in a doorway panel, reached into the door, and unlocked it to enter.
“I was at the scene approximately 20 minutes after Palmer Township received the call, and I want to make this observation at the scene: The chief was there, his entire administrative staff and several officers; they were engaged in the community, had control of the scene, and we learned that their response to the scene was immediate, professional and heroic, and showed incredible restraint,” Baratta said.
"Our prayers go out to the Fei family at this point, those poor little kids and their mother and the rest of the family. Our hearts are with them at this point, but I'm very proud of our officers’ response."Palmer Township Police Chief Wayne Smith
“And I was very impressed, especially with the empathy. As soon as I arrived at the scene, I was informed that they had already requested a chaplain to attend the scene and to begin providing services [and] victim support for the mother and her two children.
"And they remained with the mother and the two children for at least four hours when I was there, and they finally escorted them from the scene to another residence where they were going to stay that night.”
Smith also applauded the officers who showed up to the scene, stating without their help, “It could have been a different outcome.”
“We're thankful that no officers were hurt," he said. "We're thankful the defendant was not hurt. Unfortunately, our victims… succumbed to their injuries, and that's unfortunate.
"And our prayers go out to the Fei family at this point, those poor little kids and their mother and the rest of the family. Our hearts are with them at this point, but I'm very proud of our officers’ response."
Fei's preliminary arraignment was held Tuesday morning, and his preliminary hearing is set for June 18, 2025.
