A Sullivan County Pennsylvania man has been charged in connection to what authorities described as a “chaotic and bloody scene” in the Middletown Township section of Levittown last summer where one man was shot dead and was discovered by police lying on a Quickset Road front lawn after an apparent family fight.
Joseph C. Williams was arraigned earlier this month on one count of aggravated assault, seven counts of reckless endangerment and one count of possessing an instrument of crime.
On July 12, 2025, at approximately 10:32 p.m., Middletown Township Police were dispatched to Quickset Road, in Levittown for a report of a domestic disturbance, with shots fired and multiple individuals with gunshot wounds.
Upon arrival, officers saw one man dead, with blood running from a gunshot wound to the head, bullet casings and several people screaming and yelling. A 9mm Sig Sauer handgun was located on the ground next to the dead man’s body – later identified to be Justin Ciaccia according to court records
Williams was located inside the residence with gunshot wounds to the stomach and to each leg, according to the probable cause.
Credit: Joe Nelson Lower Bucks Source
.A third victim , Rachel Whitley, 33, of Hulmeville, sustained a gunshot wound to the head, with the bullet ultimately lodging in her neck. She exited the residence independently and received treatment at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital police said.
Williams was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center, in Langhorne by Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad (154-1), where he received treatment for his wounds. He survived his wounds and was discharged from St. Mary’s on July 25, 2025, police said in court records.
Subsequently investigators discovered multiple family members converged on the Quickset Road home. A verbal altercation started among some of them. The altercation escalated when Williams retrieved a Ruger .45 caliber handgun from inside the residence. He attempted to confront Ciaccia, who was being calmed down in front of the home.
Multiple family members, intervened and tried to stop Williams from advancing towards Ciaccia . Many reported that while they tried to stop Williams, he was waving his gun around and pointing it at several people. Williams made it to the front door and discharged his handgun near the head of one and close to seven of the intervening individuals. Ballistics recovered from the scene suggest that a .45 caliber handgun was discharged, according to the probable cause.
Williams spent about nine days in Jail. On October 17 10% of his $200.000.00 bail was posted.
.Williams is scheduled to appear in front of Judge Charles D. Jonas for December 11 preliminary hearing. He has no attorney of record, according to online court records.
No word on whether anyone else will be charged in the shooting.
