Bucks DA files charges in crossfire shooting death of woman, 89

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office has filed homicide charges against Andrew G. Cairns for his role in a February shootout with police that left 89-year old Marie Zienkewicz dead in the crossfire.

Cairns traded shots with police on Feb. 19 after a dispute with his girlfriend, according to police, and Zienkewicz, who lived in the apartment below Cairns, was struck by a bullet during the altercation.

Cairns barricaded himself in his Warminster apartment for several hours after the shootout before surrendering. Zienkewicz was found dead in her apartment after the gunfire.

Cairns fired at least eight shots at the responding officers, according to District Attorney David Heckler, adding that the officers responded with at least four shots.

Heckler will speak further about the charges at a 3 p.m. press conference on Thursday.

Contact Chris Palmer, 609-217-8305, cpalmer@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter, @cs_palmer