6th suspect arrested in New Kensington homicide; 1 remains at large

One of two teens still at large and charged in the shooting death of a man last month in New Kensington was arrested Monday.

U.S. marshals apprehended Elijah Rashad Gary, 18, on Ella Street in Wilkinsburg without incident, Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said.

Gary is one of seven teens charged in the July 3 killing of Jason D. Raiford, 39, at the Valley Royal Court Apartments. With Gary’s arrest, only one, Da’Montae Marquise Brooks, 15, remains at large.

Acting U.S. Marshal Philip Cornelious said Gary was not armed when he was apprehended, and no one was hurt. He did not know Gary’s association with where he was found.

“We developed information that led us to a location,” Cornelious said. “We ended up breaching a door to gain entry to the residence. There wasn’t any further incident after that.”

Charges against Gary include criminal homicide, second-degree murder, robbery, aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy. Gary was denied bail when he was arraigned Monday afternoon before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. and sent to the Westmoreland County jail.

Local, state and federal authorities are actively searching for Brooks, Ziccarelli said.

“He is to be considered dangerous and may be armed, so we ask the public to remain vigilant,” she said.

More on the shooting:

• 3 of 6 teens charged in New Kensington shooting death in custody
• Stop the violence rally held in New Kensington in response to Raiford shooting
• Authorities identify man fatally shot in New Kensington

Anyone who knows where Brooks is should call 911 or New Kensington police at 724-339-7534, Ziccarelli said.

The other suspects charged in the case are Amir Kennedy, 14; Braedon Matthew Dickinson, 14; Avian Molter, 15; Jonathan Eugene Felder, 18; and Raquan Carpenter, 18.

In a criminal complaint, police said Gary was seen on surveillance video walking with Kennedy, Felder, Brooks and Molter, and all five were seen in the area where Raiford was shot.

Police have not disclosed a motive for the killing, in which they say all seven participated and that it was Kennedy who shot and killed Raiford with a rifle.

According to police, Carpenter was seen giving a handgun to Gary. During the assault on Raiford, police said Gary tried to hit Raiford with the gun, but dropped it. Police said Raiford picked up the gun and was holding it at his side, pointed down to the ground, when Kennedy opened fire.

Kennedy and Molter, who are being held without bail in a juvenile pod at the Allegheny County Jail, appeared before Pallone for hearings Friday to check on their welfare.