Joseph Rice, 33, of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, was killed in the early morning hours of September 25, 2022, after an altercation near Laughters Bar on South Third Street. The confrontation unfolded just after 2 a.m.; Rice was seen wielding a machete and was shot multiple times by Randy Easton. Rice died at the scene.

Sunbury police issued an arrest warrant for Easton, who was later taken into custody in Lewisburg with assistance from the U.S. Marshals. Prosecutors say Easton and Rice had an ongoing feud that escalated into the fatal encounter, and Easton was charged with homicide and bound over to Northumberland County Court. Two others arrested in connection with the incident were Manuel Santos, charged with not providing information to police, and Lisa Gebhart, Easton’s girlfriend, charged with aiding him. The prosecution has argued Easton’s actions were not justified as self-defense.

Rice is survived by four children; his sister Leticia Watkins organized a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses. If anyone witnessed what happened near Laughters Bar that night or has information about the events leading up to the shooting, please come forward.