Robert Naugle Jr. Charged With Homicide After Fatally Shooting James “Jimmy” Thomas at Hempfield Township Home After Discovering Him With Estranged Wife

A Hempfield Township man, Robert Naugle Jr., 30, is behind bars after authorities say he fatally shot James “Jimmy” Thomas on New Year’s Eve after catching him having dinner with his estranged wife at his former home in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

The shooting occurred just before 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at a residence on Hugh Street, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Investigators say Naugle called 911 himself and told dispatchers he had killed Thomas.

“I walked in on my wife with another man, and I killed him,” Naugle allegedly told authorities, according to the criminal complaint.

State police said Naugle’s four children — including an infant — were inside the home at the time of the shooting.

When PSP Greensburg arrived at the scene, Naugle was taken into custody without incident. Thomas was found dead in the basement of the home with multiple gunshot wounds.

Authorities believe Naugle used a Glock 19 pistol to shoot Thomas multiple times. Police recovered a handgun and several shell casings from the residence. Investigators later determined Thomas had been shot approximately 10 times.

According to police, Emily Naugle, Robert’s wife, told investigators that Naugle had filed for divorce in November and had moved out of the home just two days before the shooting.

Emily described Thomas as a friend and said the two were sitting together eating Chinese food when Naugle entered the home and opened fire.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani addressed speculation surrounding the case during a Friday briefing.

“Some people thought there was some type of strange love affair,” Limani said. “James Thomas was simply sitting there, consuming Chinese food on what he probably believed was a first date with a woman who was separated and going through the divorce process.”

Investigators said Naugle had previously arranged to come to the home that evening, but Emily later canceled those plans. Police say Naugle showed up anyway and encountered Thomas inside.

After his arrest, Naugle was interviewed by state police and allegedly admitted to shooting Thomas multiple times with the Glock 19.

Robert Naugle Jr. is charged with criminal homicide. The case remains under investigation by Pennsylvania State Police in Greensburg.