7 charged with homicide in New Kensington shooting
NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) - Seven people are facing murder charges after allegedly ambushing a man in a stairwell in New Kensington on Sunday.
The Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office filed charges against six teenagers ranging from ages 14 to 18 on Wednesday.
Authorities announced that 14-year-old Amir Kennedy, 18-year-old Elijah Gary, 15-year-old Da'Montae Brooks, 17-year-old Jonathan Felder, 14-year-old Braedon Dickinson and 15-year-old Avian Molter are all facing criminal homicide, murder in the second degree, two counts of robbery, aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy charges related to the death of Jason Raiford.
On Thursday, Raquan Carpenter of Pittsburgh was charged with criminal homicide, second-degree murder, two counts of robbery, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and a firearm not to be carried without a license in connection with the deadly shooting. He is in police custody, officials said.
According to paperwork, all six teens can be seen on surveillance video, armed, and waiting for Raiford to walk inside a housing complex off Fifth Avenue.
In a criminal complaint, police said around 1 p.m. Sunday, the boys entered the building and Dickinson can be seen sitting in the doorway with a gun on the floor next to him.
Police said Molter is seen entering with a long rifle partially concealed under his hoodie. According to paperwork, video surveillance later shows Molter without the long rifle while Kennedy appears in the stairwell walking "stiff legged."
A few minutes later, Raiford walked into the foyer where police say the teenagers began to assault Raiford.
"Elijah Gary had a gun in his hand that falls to the ground as he appeared to try to strike Raiford with said gun. Raiford, while bent over, picks up the gun as the 5 actors continue to assault him in the foyer area," the criminal complaint reads.
Police said Kennedy ran out of the building with the rifle.
Raiford then "broke free," according to police, before shots were fired. Police said Raiford was shot in the torso and head.
"(Raiford) loved to joke. He was the life of the party. He would light up a room with his smile, you know, he would just make everybody happy around him," Tony Houghton said, Raiford's childhood friend.
On Wednesday, authorities said Dickinson, Kennedy and Felder were in custody. Gary, Molter and Brooks remain at large.
"These individuals are dangerous and may be armed, so we ask the public to remain vigilant," said Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said. "This type of violence will not be tolerated in Westmoreland County."
"It's sad," Houghton said. "You can't even like go down the street or go to the store or anywhere without fearing for your life. Like I said, wrong place, wrong time. It's the world we live in right now. It's so scary."