Pennsylvania Man Slain by Chainsaw-Wielding Neighbor in 'Scream' Costume, Police Say

Law enforcement officials in Pennsylvania say a man wearing a costume resembling the villain in the “Scream” movies was arrested for allegedly stabbing his neighbor to death and attacking him with a chainsaw.

Around 3:30 p.m. on March 25, officers were called to a home on Carbon Street in Lehighton regarding an assault in progress, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.

Once at the scene, officers found a 59-year-old victim, later identified as Edward Whitehead Jr., with life-threatening injuries. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, officials said.

The suspect, police said, left the area on foot, and officers took precautions to "safeguard the community residents and school children who were actively being released from school.”

Lehigh Valley Live reported that sports practices went into lockdown and students were escorted to cars by officers.

Police later identified a suspect and tracked him to a home, also on Carbon Street, where he was reportedly barricaded inside.

According to court documents obtained by Lehigh Valley Live, the suspect, 30-year-old Zak Moyer, went to Whitehead’s home dressed as the “Scream” slasher with a knife and chainsaw “for the purpose of scaring him.”

Moyer then is accused of hitting Whitehead in the head with the chainsaw and knife before leaving the home through the back, officials said.

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

While he was barricaded, Moyer communicated with Pennsylvania State Police via written notes, in which he claimed Whitehead committed various crimes.

State Police Trooper Anthony Petroski said the allegations Moyer made are “not something we are looking into.”

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Moyer was eventually taken into custody and charged with criminal homicide, authorities said.

Days before the attack, according to police, Moyer allegedly told his sister that he “wanted to kill Ed.”

After the stabbing, Moyer went home and watched a movie, police said. They searched his house and found the chainsaw, knife and “Scream” costume.