A Russell man has been found not guilty by a jury of a charge of criminal homicide.

Mark Saullo of Russell faced a single count of criminal homicide in connection with the killing of Keith R. Haskins, 55, also of Russell. Saullo had been held in the Warren County Jail since his May 2024 arrest. He was ordered released from the jail on Monday after his acquittal. Saullo was represented by attorney Jason Nard of Pittsburgh. Cody Brown, first assistant district attorney, prosecuted the case. Saullo had said the shooting was in self-defense.

A statement from the Pennsylvania State Police indicates that troopers were dispatched shortly before 9:30 p.m. on May 27, 2024, to 2 S. Main St. for a report of a shooting. According to the affidavit of probable cause, a witness told police that he was outside the building and heard a gunshot, running into the shop to allegedly find “Saullo holding a pistol and Haskins holding his stomach.”

The witness told troopers that Saullo cleared the pistol of ammunition and placed the pistol on a desk at the scene. The witness then called 911.

A Conewango Township police officer took Saullo into custody at 2 S. Main St. He was interviewed by state police at the Starbrick barracks at about 2 a.m. The affidavit alleges that Saullo told police that he had a physical and verbal altercation with Haskins on Saturday where “both had gone their separate ways and everything was fine afterwards.”

Saullo allegedly told police that he wrote a letter that said Haskins was no longer allowed on his property. It appears that letter never made it to Haskins as Saullo then told police that he was called and told that Haskins was “on his way to the shop and he was made.”

Saullo claimed that Haskins came into the shop and demanded title to a vehicle and a verbal altercation ensued.

“Saullo related that he followed Haskins into the office where they continued to argue,” the affidavit states.

Once in the office, the affidavit states that the men “continued to argue and began pushing one another.”

Saullo allegedly told police that Haskins pushed him on the neck and that Saullo allegedly told Haskins that he was going to shoot him, walking over to his desk and retrieving a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol.

“Saullo advised that Haskins allegedly struck him with the back of his hand and that is when Saullo shot Haskins one time,” the affidavit states. “Saullo related he then unloaded the gun, took the magazine out and separated the items.”

Troopers say that Saullo told them he did not render aid to Haskins.

“Haskins subsequently died from the gun shot fired by Saullo,” the affidavit alleges.