Inset: A bullet hole showing where Lacole Dotson allegedly opened fire on her boyfriend and his daughter. Background: The Pennsylvania home where Lacole Dotson allegedly shot her boyfriend and his daughter (WCAU/YouTube).
A Pennsylvania woman allegedly pulled a 9 mm pistol on her boyfriend and shot him after his daughter told her, "Might as well use it." She also opened fire on the daughter and killed her, according to police.
Lacole Dotson, 27, of Freemansburg, is charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the Saturday morning shooting.
Police responding to a 911 call arrived at a home on Market Street in Freemansburg to find Atirah Steed, 27, and her 45-year-old father, Alphonso Steed, suffering from gunshot wounds. Alphonso Steed was found on the porch, along with a 9 mm handgun, according to a criminal complaint obtained by local NBC affiliate WCAU.
Atirah Steed and her father were taken to a hospital, where Atirah Steed was pronounced dead about an hour later. Alphonso Steed was in critical but stable condition as of Monday.
Police say Dotson and Alphonso Steed were dating and share a 1-year-old child, according to WCAU. The couple was allegedly with Atirah Steed on the porch of the home around 2 a.m. when Dotson said something that upset Atirah Steed and prompted her to go to bed.
Dotson confronted Atirah Steed on Saturday morning about the "prior night" and told her she was going to use her gun on Alphonso Steed, according to the complaint. "I'm not playing with y'all," Dotson allegedly said.
Atirah Steed allegedly told Dotson "pull it out, might as well use it" right before the shooting unfolded. A witness reported hearing "pop, pop, pop" as the bullets began to fly, according to the complaint.
Dotson was arrested after telling the witness she would call the police on herself, WCAU reports. Dotson allegedly claimed during an interview with police that she felt threatened by Atirah Steed.
An incident between Dotson and Steed was reported in 2025 involving a pair of scissors, according to police, but no charges were ever filed.
Dotson is being held without bail. She's scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 1 for a preliminary hearing.