Erie County District Attorney Jack Daneri ruled the deadly shooting at a State Gamelands gun range during the week of Christmas as justified.

During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Daneri said no charges were warranted after his office reviewed the evidence in the case. He called it a case of self-defense and said four other people at the gun range had a reason to be concerned about their safety.

It happened Dec. 22 when Robert Eppley, 26, and his friend Michael Patterson, 28, went to the State Gamelands 109 gun range on Sampson Rd. in Greene Township to try out Patterson's new gun. Both were joined by their girlfriends, and the two couples were friends and traveled to the gun range together.

After firing down the range, investigators said Eppley turned and began firing the weapon at Patterson, hitting him multiple times, according to State Police.

A 67-year-old Erie man who was also at the gun range saw Eppley firing and intervened, shooting Eppley five times and killing him. Eppley was hit twice in the ribs and three times in the back. The 67 year old stayed at the scene to help and give CPR.

Patterson survived his injuries and was released from the hospital.

Investigators interviewed both girlfriends. Their accounts of what happened lined up, according to Daneri.

It's still unclear why Eppley decided to open fire on Patterson.

Toxicology results showed Eppley had a blood-alcohol content of .21, Daneri said Tuesday. No other drugs were found in his system.