The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office has approved a charge of criminal homicide against Jason Shackelford, 39 of Columbia, regarding the killing in Columbia on Feb. 8 into Feb. 9, 2023.

Shackelford is currently in Lancaster County Prison. Shackelford was detained by East Lampeter Township Police and transported to the Columbia Borough Police Department to be interviewed on Feb. 10.

During his interview with Columbia Borough Police, Shackelford admitted he raped and killed his girlfriend’s 12-year-old daughter (Victim 1) on the night of Feb. 8 into the morning of Feb. 9 at a home in the 500 block of Avenue H in Columbia. He stated he attempted to conceal the victim’s body in a freezer in the basement.

During an initial search of the home by the Columbia Borough Police Department, police discovered the body of a juvenile female located inside a chest freezer in the basement of the home.

On Feb. 10, 2023, East Lampeter Township Police was dispatched to the Wyndham Lancaster hotel at 2300 Lincoln Highway East for a domestic disturbance. Officers made contact with Shackelford and a woman (Victim 2). Victim 2 told officers that while she was working the night shift on Feb. 8 into Feb. 9, Shackelford told her that he kidnapped Victim 1 from the victims’ home in the 500 block of Avenue H in Columbia.

Victim 2 voluntarily provided a statement to and was interviewed by Columbia Police around 6:50 a.m. on Feb. 10. Victim 2 stated Shackelford and she were going through a breakup, and she recently asked him to move out. Victim 2 stated she received a text while at work around 6:35 a.m. on Feb. 9 from Shackelford saying Victim 1 was sick and in bed. Victim 2 stated when she returned home from work around 7:45 a.m., Shackelford and she got into an argument, and Shackelford showed her Victim 1’s empty bed. Shackelford allegedly stated he took Victim 1 to New York, and she was safe. Victim 2 stated Shackelford raped her before forcing her to leave to the Wyndham Lancaster hotel with him.

Shackelford allegedly used Victim 1’s well-being as leverage and sexually assaulted Victim 2 again at the hotel before allowing her to go smoke a cigarette. At this time, Victim 2 alerted hotel staff to call the police.

All defendants are innocent until proven guilty.

Columbia Police Detective Matthew Leddy filed charges. Additional charges may be filed pending the results of an autopsy and further investigation.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.