Homeowner, Suspect Dead In Ohio Township Shooting
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OHIO TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – Two men are dead following an incident in Ohio Township early Wednesday morning.
According to police, a male homeowner was shot and killed as he walked to his car in the 100 block of Rebecca Drive around 5 a.m.
KDKA's Amy Wadas Reports:
"It would appear that the male victim had left the front door of his house to go start his vehicle, that's when he is encountered by the actor," said Allegheny County Police Lt. Andrew Schurman.
The victim has been identified as 56-year-old James Westover. He was found dead in his driveway.
Police were dispatched to the area after a woman called 911 to report shots being fired. Shortly after, the female called 911 again to report a man with a gun was trying to break into the home.
When police arrived, they spotted a 62-year-old man dressed in black with a gun. The man refused several commands to drop the weapon. As he lifted the gun to fire, police also fired.
"That male discharged his weapon. One officer discharged a weapon also," said Lt. Schurman. "So, we can't say if the officer shot him at this point, or if it's a suicide."
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office is working to determine the suspect's cause and manner of death. They are identifying him as Lex Miller, of Pittsburgh.
Police recovered a gun at the scene and no officers were injured during the incident.
Investigators say the motive remains unclear, but added that the two men did know one another and had a previous business association.
"It is our neighbor. Really nice," said next door neighbor Rick Gunzburg.
Gunzburg can't believe his neighbor is gone. Gunzburg's daughter, Lexi, heard the gunshots.
"I heard my next door neighbor say, 'What are you doing?' I heard more gunshots and the car alarm went off and then more gunshots and I didn't know what to think," said Lexi Gunzburg.
Neighbors said the victim lived at the home with his wife, daughter and his 6-year-old grandson. They were home at the time of the shooting.
"He was like a father to his grandson, so I don't know what to think," said Lexi Gunzburg. "This neighborhood is my safe place and now I'm scared."
"He loved that little boy," said Rick Gunzburg.
Meanwhile, the Avonworth School District operated on a two-hour delay Wednesday morning because of the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tipline at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477).
