Aliquippa Shooting Suspect Recovering From Gunshot Wound
ALIQUIPPA (KDKA) -- Police say Lawrence Rains was found propped against a guardrail post in the parking lot of a car wash on Kennedy Boulevard in Aliquippa on Wednesday evening.
His face was covered with blood. Authorities say he'd shot himself through the right cheek. Paramedic gloves and compression bandage wrappers now litter the ground.
"Make a failed effort in a suicide attempt," Aliquippa Police Chief Andre Davis said.
Thanks to witnesses, an arrest warrant had been issued for the 47-year-old Rains of Center Township for a homicide on Tuesday evening.
"And they gave us a description of his clothes and his features," said Chief Davis.
On Tuesday, police say they believe that Rains allegedly shot and killed 58-year-old Richard "Ricky" Lincheck at Lincheck's home on Elgin Street.
"Down in his front yard by the driveway, a victim of multiple gunshot wounds," Chief Davis said.
Rains not only was a match for the suspect description, police say they also followed his blood trail to a creek bed below where they think he might have hidden overnight.
They also discovered personal items belonging to Lincheck that they believe were taken from his home.
Chief Davis: "Prescription pill bottles, pills, cell phone."
KDKA's Mary Robb Jackson: "And the weapon?"
Chief Davis: "And also the weapon, yes."
That weapon is a 9mm handgun. They found a money clip engraved with the name "Ricky," too.
Rains is charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, weapons violation and robbery.
"At this point, he is charged with robbery, but our investigation continues to solidify the motive," added Chief Davis.
Rains is recovering in Allegheny General Hospital from his wounds. He was expected to be arraigned before the end of the day.
Chief Davis credits his officers and Beaver County detectives for cracking this case in under 24 hours.
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