Arrest made in October shooting

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

One person has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred inside a Family Dollar store in McKeesport in October.

Allegheny County Police Department Homicide Unit Detectives arrested 18-year-old Master William Thornton Thursday in Pittsburgh on charges of criminal homicide, engaging in criminal conspiracy-criminal homicide, robbery and possession of a firearm by a minor.

Allegheny County and McKeesport police were called to the Family Dollar store at the corner of Versailles Avenue and Craig Street at 11:05 a.m. Oct. 17 for reports of a shooting inside.

Police and medics from McKeesport Ambulance Rescue Service found 24-year-old Dwayne Fuller of Homestead suffering from gunshot wounds to the torso, according to ACPD Lt. Venerando Costa.

The victim was taken to an area hospital where he died an hour later, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office.

“The investigation showed the victim encountered two males inside the Family Dollar,” Costa said. “A struggle ensued and the victim was shot during the struggle. The two males fled the store on foot.”

Thornton, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, was arraigned at 5:06 a.m. Thursday and is lodged in Allegheny County Jail without bail. His preliminary hearing is slated for 2:30 p.m. Aug. 5 before Allegheny County Judge Kim Berkely Clark in Pittsburgh.

Detectives are still working to identify the second person involved in the homicide, Costa said. ACPD has not released any other information about the second suspect other than to say witnesses reported that two Black males ran from Family Dollar following the shooting. The second suspect was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, according to Costa.

Anyone with information concerning the incident is asked to call the ACPD Tipline at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477), callers can remain anonymous. Tips can also be sent via social media.