Officials have 'person of interest' in homicide of 9-year-old Azuree Charles

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) - Officials said they have a "person of interest" in the homicide of 9-year-old Azuree Charles. 

Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli confirmed officials are investigating his death as a homicide, saying "he did die at the hands of another person." 

Ziccarelli said over 30 officers canvassed the East Ken Manor neighborhood where the boy's body was found on Haser Drive Wednesday. She said public safety also set up a "command post" near the Westmoreland County Housing Authority in the same neighborhood. 

"Valuable information was obtained to aid us in our investigation and we thank the community for their cooperation. We are all unified in solving this homicide," Ziccarelli said. 

The boy's body was found covered with a chair behind a shed in a wooded area close to where he lived. He was reported missing early in the morning. 

Neighbors said Charles had recently beat pediatric cancer and was enjoying a second chance at life. 

"All he does is ride his bike and play with his sister and for something like this to happen to him, it's unbelievable. It's got to stop, whatever is going on," aid Osie Taylor, who found Charles' body. 

Ziccarelli wouldn't comment on the boy's family other than saying he has three younger sisters. She also wouldn't comment on how he died, but she said the community isn't in any danger.

She's asking the community for help. Anyone who might know something is asked to call New Kensington police at 724-339-7533.