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Suspect In Custody After Fatal New Kensington Shooting

NEW KENSINGTON (KDKA) -- Police now have a suspect in custody following a deadly shooting in New Kensington that later led to an overnight SWAT situation in Brackenridge.

Police say they have arrested 34-year-old Raymond "Rico" Rivera, of the Reading, Pa. area, in connection with the shooting death of 37-year-old John LaToy Evans, of New Kensington. Rivera turned himself to New Kensington police this morning.

The shooting happened in the parking lot of the Family Dollar store in the Central City Plaza on Fourth Avenue just before 9 p.m.

The Westmoreland County Coroner Coroner's office says Evans died from exsanguination and gunshot wounds to the neck and left leg.

According to investigators, the shooting is believed to have stemmed from an argument between the two men.

Authorities say Rivera is accused of firing his weapon several times. Evans died at the scene and one of his friends suffered a gunshot wound to the arm.

"I can tell you that he called me last night. He was very upset. He was very remorseful. He wanted to do the right thing and turn himself in. I told him I would get him this morning with Mr. DiLucente, and Phil and I did come out here, picked him up and brought him out here. He wanted to do the right thing. He didn't want anybody to get hurt, of course him too. But he's [a] very remorseful gentlemen," defense attorney Jim Ecker said. "Although things look very bad right now tough for him, I think things will look a lot better when we get to a preliminary hearing and a trial."

KDKA's Paul Martino reports:

After the shooting, investigators were put on alert to look for a blue Cadillac. Witnesses at the scene of the shooting reported to police that they saw Rivera drive away in the vehicle.

Overnight, the SWAT team was called to Nelson Avenue in Brackenridge after an officer spotted a vehicle fitting the description parked illegally. Investigators say the officer watched as a man got out of the car and approached a home.

Chief Jamie Bock, of the Brackenridge Police Department, said officers set up a perimeter around the house to make sure no one went in or went out while they waited for SWAT to arrive.

"The officer drove past to try to keep a watch on it," said Chief Bock. "It was unknown whether the person actually went into the residence or just went onto the porch and then fled."

The blue Cadillac recovered from the scene in Brackenridge was impounded.

Rivera was expected to be arraigned Friday.

KDKA's Heather Abraham reports:

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