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Police Arrest Man In Connection With East Liberty Murder

EAST LIBERTY (KDKA)- Pittsburgh Police have arrested a man in connection with a murder inside an East Liberty apartment building earlier this month.

According to police, Copeland Tyler, 18, of Penn Hills, was arrested at approximately 6:11 p.m. Tuesday.

Police believe he's responsible for the murder of Reginald Turner, 18, of California-Kirkbride, on Oct. 4.

The criminal complaint says police went to Tyler's home Tuesday to question him about the shooting.

Police told Tyler they received information that he was meeting Turner and another man for a drug deal that day. At first, Tyler denied it. However, according to the criminal complaint, he then told police, "I shot him. There, that's the truth."

"He was brought to police headquarters and questioned and as a result, he was arrested for the Oct. 4 fatal shooting," Pittsburgh Police Spokeswoman Sonya Toler said.

Tyler told police he was confronted by two men in the stairwell of his brother's apartment building. One of the men was Turner.

During the confrontation, the complaint says Tyler grabbed Turner and wrapped his arm around his neck. He then held his gun to the back of Turner's head.

Tyler told police the other man began shooting at him and Tyler was struck in the arm.

Then, Tyler says he fired shots in the back of Turner's head. The other man took off after firing more shots.

Tyler told police he shot Turner a few more times in his back. Police say Turner died the following morning at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.

Tyler is lodged at the Allegheny County Jail. He's been charged with criminal homicide.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 7.

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