3 of 6 teens charged in New Kensington shooting death in custody

Three of the six teenagers charged in connection with a fatal shooting Sunday in New Kensington are in custody, including the 14-year-old police say was the shooter.

Braedon Matthew Dickinson, 14, of Herminie; Amir Kennedy, 14, of New Kensington; and Jonathan Eugene Felder, 17, of Arnold are in custody. According to a police report on the incident, Kennedy is shown on surveillance video shooting the victim with a rifle.

The arrests of the three were confirmed late Wednesday in a statement from Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli.

Also charged in the case but still at large as of Thursday morning are Elijah Rashad Gary, 18, of New Kensington; and Da’Monte Marquise Brooks, 15, and Avian Molter, 15, both of Fayette County.

Charges against all six include criminal homicide, second-degree murder, robbery, aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy.

Dickinson was arraigned Wednesday afternoon before New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. He was denied bond and sent to the Westmoreland County Prison, according to court records.

Dickinson is scheduled for a preliminary hearing July 14.

The victim has been identified as Jason Raiford, 39.

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According to a criminal complaint against Dickinson, New Kensington police responded to a shooting at Valley Royal Court Apartments on Fifth Avenue around 2 p.m. Sunday. Officers found the victim, later identified as Raiford, dead with bullet wounds to his head and torso.

The teens’ movements before their encounter with Raiford and the shooting itself were captured on surveillance video, according to the complaint filed by New Kensington police and Westmoreland County detectives. A motive for the scuffle and shooting that ensued, however, is not disclosed.

According to the complaint, five of the six — Kennedy, Felder, Brooks, Gary and Molter — are seen walking south on Fifth Avenue from Arnold.

Dickinson was seen sitting in a doorway with a gun next to him, and later placing it in his waistband.

Five minutes later, Molter is seen entering the address with a long rifle partially concealed under his hoodie. According to the complaint, Molter gives the rifle to Kennedy.

An unknown man is seen giving a handgun to Gary, who places it down his pants.

Raiford is seen entering a foyer area, followed by Brooks, Dickinson, Molter and Kennedy. Raiford walks to the base of a stairwell at the back of the foyer, where Gary is waiting.

Brooks is seen with a handgun in his hand, and Kennedy is seen retrieving the long rifle that was concealed in his pants, the complaint states. A scuffle ensues between Raiford and all five actors.

Gary tried to hit Raiford with a gun, but it falls to the ground. Raiford picks up the gun as the five continue to assault him in the foyer, according to the complaint.

Kennedy is seen running outside with the long rifle, with Dickinson following. Immediately after, Raiford breaks free and moves to the doorway, holding the gun at his side and pointed at the ground.

Kennedy is then seen shooting multiple rounds at Raiford with the long rifle, advancing on Raiford after he was on the ground.

Police said they recovered the long rifle, which Kennedy hid behind bushes as the teens ran away.

Police said Raiford was found to have been carrying only $8.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Brooks, Gary, and Molter should call 911 or New Kensington police at 724-339-7534, Ziccarelli said.

“These individuals are dangerous and may be armed, so we ask the public to remain vigilant,” Ziccarelli said.

The Ross G. Walker Funeral Home, New Kensington, is handling arrangements for Raiford.