Chuck Cummings was found shot to death 2 days before Christmas at the Pistol Club in Portage. He stopped there early last Friday morning to check the clubs heating system. It was at that time that he was killed, shot to death several times.

The arrests for his murder happened overnight. Chucks step-son, Shawn Sweeney, is charged with 1st degree murder. According to police records, he confessed to the crime and has not gotten along with the Chuck Cummings for years. Sweeneys mother and Chucks wife, Deborah Cummings, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder. According to police records though, this isnt the first time shes tried to have her husband killed.

Deborah and Chuck were not legally married but lived together and had been together since 1979. Between the 2 of them they have 5 children, 2 of whom are Chucks. The children are in their 20s and 30s.

The State Police and Cambria County District Attorney are not talking about the motive or what happened Friday because they feel it will jeopardize their ongoing investigation. Police do have the gun used to kill Cummings. Some evidence found at the crime scene is still at the crime lab. Police say theyve never had problems with the couple or calls to their home. In the beginning of this investigation State Police said they were stumped. The Cambria County District Attorney says this is how the arrests came about, [The State Police] were doing a good job and then we received an anonymous tip which really helped speed up the investigation.

To say Chucks friends and residents of Portage Township are shocked would be an understatement. Bob Lutz is a friend and Portage Pistol Club member. He tells Channel 6 News, I just dont believe it. [I] dont wanna believe it.

Ned Moore is also a friend and club member. He says, I was so shocked. I cant describe it. It was disbelief, absolutely disbelief.

Moore and Lutz were almost at a loss for words Wednesday afternoon. Theyve known Chuck and his family for years. They thought they had a good relationship. Deborah Cummings threw Chuck a surprise party at the Portage Rifle Club for his 50th birthday. They say there was nothing to indicate this would happen. They described Deborah as a nice woman.

Moore says, When there is family involved that is youre basic level of trust. How can you not trust your family? If this is true it was just the ultimate betrayal.

Lutz says, To do something like this at the Christmas season and to get your own son involved, if this was the case, it is unbelievable.

The Portage Township community is relieved by the arrests, contemplating what could have been wrong and shocked.

Gary Vaughn is a business owner in town. He tells Channel 6 News, You dont think it could happen in a small town. Evidently we were proven wrong.

Police arent saying what happened but Moore and Lutz know what Chuck would say.

Moore says, If he knew what was happening, I doubt hed believe it.

Lutz says, Chuck would probably say theres something else behind it.

But what that is, is causing a lot of speculation in Cambria County.

Moore and Lutz say theyll try to work with the State Police and the Cambria County District Attorneys office on what happens to the $6,500 reward. State Police say the tip called in was anonymous.