Police: Man Shot Execution-Style In Clairton
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Police are investigating after what they call an "execution-style" fatal shooting in Clairton early Friday morning.
It happened around 4 a.m. at the intersection of Broad and Chambers streets.
Neighbors say they heard five or six gunshots.
"I thought it was firecrackers, about four or five shots, and then they told me when the homicide detectives came, he said, 'Those were gunshots, miss,'" said one neighbor who didn't want to be identified.
Police say a passing motorist found the man dead in the driver's seat of his car, in what looked like an execution-style shooting.
"That motorist investigated and found what he thought was a person shot in there. He called for police and paramedics," Allegheny County Police Lt. Andrew Schurman said. "They responded and ultimately pronounced the victim dead here at the scene."
The victim has been identified as 44-year-old Derek McClellan.
The area of Clairton where it happened is mostly abandoned, with vacant homes and is surrounded by thick vegetation and debris from dumping. Neighbors say they've complained about criminal activity before.
"I'm surprised there's not more stuff that goes on down here," said the neighbor who didn't want to be identified. "I'm surprised there's not bodies over in here. They really do need to clean it up."
Police say they believe the motive was drug-related, a large quantity of narcotics was found in his vehicle.
"It's a 44-year-old male with multiple gunshot wounds," said Lt. Schurman. "We believe this happened sometime after 4:30 this morning, and obviously, before the discovery. He was seated in the driver's seat, the car was still in drive, his foot was on the brake. The car was running when the first responders arrived."
McClellan reportedly has an extensive criminal record and has even been charged with attempted homicide. He was shot several times in the head.
Allegheny County Police continue to investigate.
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