Local News

Neighbors Worried After 2 Shootings In 2 Days At New Castle Apartments

June 21, 2014 / 5:08 PM EDT / CBS Pittsburgh

NEW CASTLE (KDKA) -- Two shootings, one fatal, in two nights have residents of a Lawrence County apartment complex on edge.

Neighbors say the latest victim was shot and killed around 7:30 p.m. Friday in the hallway of a building on Pin Oak Drive in the Crestview Gardens apartments in New Castle.

Andrea Atwell lives in the building; she was outside with her 8-year-old daughter when it happened.

"I just know my daughter ran the other way," said Atwell. "I came down and my boyfriend told me not to come in the hallway, he had just passed away."

According to the Lawrence County District Attorney's Office, the victim - whose name is not being released yet but is from McKeesport – died from a gunshot wound to the head.

No reason was given why the victim was in New Castle.

The Lawrence County Coroner's Office says he was 29-years-old and pronounced dead at the scene.

When the shooting started, Atwell says an ice cream truck was parked close by.

"There had to be 20 kids standing at that ice cream truck at the time," said Atwell. "They don't have any… just think about it, why would someone do that while all the kids were standing there."

This was the second shooting at Crestview Gardens in two days.

On Thursday, a teenager was wounded outside a building just across the street on Pin Oak Drive. The victim was flown by helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital.

Police searched an apartment in the building and found 20 small bags of heroin, along with a loaded gun in the hallway.

Police aren't saying if the shootings are connected. So far, no arrests have been made, and police are hoping video surveillance cameras can help identify the gunman.

"It's time to move, time to get out," said Atwell.

An autopsy was scheduled for this morning.

New Castle Police continue to investigate.

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