4 Arrested In Connection With Armstrong Co. Beating Death
KITTANNING (KDKA) – Four people have been arrested in connection with a fight in Armstrong County that left one man dead.
The victim, Jimmy Sullivan, of Chicora, was buried Thursday morning. He was 39.
His mom, four sisters and the rest of his large Irish Catholic family celebrated his life during a funeral Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Church.
"When he was around you knew everything was going to be okay. He was everything," says his sister, Michele Slater.
Sullivan was killed in a fight on Montieth Street in Kittanning early St. Patrick's Day morning.
It started inside the Wick City Saloon with two women arguing. Sullivan intervened; calming the situation and walking the women to their car.
"Mr. Sullivan was being a Good Samaritan," Kittanning Police Chief Edward Cassasse said.
Once outside, police say they have learned that Dennis Rosenberger threw the first punch.
"He basically ran out to the parking lot unbeknownst to the victim, punched him, knocking him to the ground," Chief Cassasse said.
After Sullivan was knocked to the ground unconscious, police say three other men joined in kicking and stomping on the victim's chest and stomach.
Sullivan bled to death in minutes from internal injuries.
On Monday, State Police, Kittanning Police and the Armstrong County District Attorney asked for help, and dozens and dozens of calls came in.
"It was with the eyewitness accounts that we followed up and made the arrests with," said Chief Cassasse.
Dennis Rosenberger, 23, was jailed Tuesday.
The other three, 43-year-old Otilio Cosme, 18-year-old Anthony Bove, both of Ford City, and Keith Brison, 32, of Kittanning, were arrested on Wednesday night.
Investigators have heard that there may be videos of the assault.
"There are rumors that there are videos," Chief Cassasse said. "We're still running down those leads."
The four suspects are charged with homicide, aggravated and simple Assault, reckless endangerment and harassment. They are in the Armstrong County Jail without bond.
RELATED LINKS
More Local News
More Kittanning News
More Armstrong County News
More Reports From Heather Abraham
