Man charged with criminal homicide after shooting in Pittsburgh’s Northview Heights
PITTSBURGH —
A shooting in Pittsburgh’s Northview Heights neighborhood is now being investigated as a homicide, court documents stated.
Police and medics were first called to Hazlett Street in the Northview Heights Estates housing development just before 4 p.m. on Sunday. Officials were called to an apartment following reports of a man who had been shot inside.
When police arrived on the scene, they said the victim was found with at least two gunshot wounds.
Several shell casings and bullet holes were also found throughout the apartment.
The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he later died.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner later identified the victim as 38-year-old Leshawn Rucker of Northview Heights.
Surveillance video from the area captured the suspect leaving the scene following the incident. He was later identified as Devaugh Tarver.
Once he was found and taken to police headquarters for questioning, the criminal complaint said Tarver told officers he and the victim were childhood friends.
Tarver said the victim came to the apartment he was staying at, which was a few units away from where the victim lived.
The suspect said the victim accused him of stealing $300 and paying him with fake money. Tarver said the victim pulled a gun on him, took all his money, and took one of his firearms.
Tarver said he then went to the victim’s apartment. He said the victim reached for a firearm, which led him to pull out his own and fire four to five shots.
The criminal complaint said Tarver does not have a concealed carry permit.
He is facing multiple charges, including criminal homicide and tampering with evidence.
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