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Manhunt Continues In Deadly Shooting Of New Kensington Police Officer

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NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. (KDKA/AP) - The manhunt continues for a suspect and a person of interest in the fatal shooting of a rookie police officer in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania state police have issued an arrest warrant for 29-year-old Rahmael Sal Holt. He's accused of killing New Kensington Officer Brian Shaw during a traffic stop Friday night. Holt faces charges of murder and murder of a police officer.

Online court documents show that Holt had a lengthy criminal record. In the past ten years, Holt has been arrested on drug charges, aggravated and simple assault, carrying a firearm without a license and reckless endangerment of another person.

Authorities say the 25-year-old rookie was shot in the chest while chasing Holt on foot.

The driver of the vehicle Holt was in, Tavon Harper, has been arrested and is facing charges of fleeing and eluding. He is also facing drug charges after police found two bundles of stamp bags of heroin at a home where Harper was found. He has not been charged in the Shaw's death.

Shaw had served as a part-time officer in three other towns before joining the New Kensington force full time in June.

The reward is now up to a combined $55,000.

Holt, who is considered to be armed and dangerous, has ties to Homestead, Natrona Heights and Braddock.

Family members were calling for Holt to turn himself in on Monday.

"I mean, it's sad. It's terrible. Don't want that to happen to nobody. You know, it's sad," Virgil Logan, Holt's uncle, said outside the New Kensington Police headquarters Monday.

His niece, Lisa Harrington, was initially reported to be a "person of interest" Sunday night and arrived at the headquarters to speak to police.

"My daughter is sick. She's about to be in the hospital because of this mess," Charlene Harrington, Lisa's mother and Holt's aunt, said. "She got kids, and her kids are looking at her on the news thinking she did something wrong when she didn't. It's not fair to her."

Meanwhile, Charlene is appealing for her nephew to end his run from the law.

"Bring his [expletive] in. I wouldn't say nothing. I would bring him in. So all this stuff could stop," she said.

KDKA's Lynne Hayes-Freeland spoke with Holt's mother, who said she doesn't know her son's whereabouts, but she says he wants to turn himself in peacefully.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the ATF 24/7 hotline at 1-888-283-4867 or 911. You can also email ATFTips@atf.gov with tips.

Watch Meghan Schiller's report --

 

Community members in New Kensington said they're confident police will find him.

"As a Christian, I have to forgive him, but yet he has no room in our society. If you're willing to take another individual's life, there has to be some consequences that you're going to fall into yourself," Anthony Sandrick said.

New Kensington Mayor Thomas Guzzo was overcome with emotion when talking with reporters Sunday about the motivated and bright eyed officer.

"You know, I just swore him in a couple of months ago and he just had an energy and an enthusiasm for this position that was matchless," Guzzo said.

Friends will be received at the Rusiewicz of Lower Burrell Funeral Home from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 20, and Tuesday, Nov. 21.

The Rusiewicz of Lower Burrell Funeral Home is located at 3124 Leechburg Road.

Prayers of Transfer will be said on Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home. Christian Funeral Mass will follow at Mount St. Peter Roman Catholic Church on Freeport Road in New Kensington.

The Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Department has shared a full list of the road closures that will be in effect during the procession.

According to the City of Lower Burrell Facebook page, a memorial fund has been set up for Officer Shaw at First National Bank.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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