Man Took Down Fayette Twp. Shooter In Heroic Act
NORTH FAYETTE TWP. (KDKA) -- One of the victims who is hospitalized tonight after a fatal Fayette Township shooting, was wounded as he tackled the shooter to the ground.
The heroic act surely saved others from getting hurt.
A sign hangs in the window of the Grab N Go convenience store on Old Steubenville Pike where James Adams was an employee.
Adams died last night after he was shot inside the Fort Pitt Inn, where he often worked as a DJ. Store owner Larry Andrews says it's been hard to contain is anger over what appears to be a senseless shooting.
"I've been angry today," Andrews said. "I have been screaming swearing and punching things it comes in spurts."
"He was the nicest person in the whole world," he added. "He would do anything for you, he was always here for whoever needed him."
People in North Fayette say it is a very close-knit community. While very few people were willing to go on camera, they say no one was surprised by the bravery of the patrons who helped subdue the gunman
According to the police criminal complaint, one of the patrons identified as Gerald Maroni was playing a video poker machine with his back to the door where he heard several shots and turned around and saw Adams on the floor.
Joseph Quirk -- a second victim -- was shot in the upper neck.
Maroni told police 25-year-old David Mazzocco was pointing the gun in his direction when he challenged him. They got into a struggle and Maroni suffered a gunshot wound in his upper forearm. But he was able to disarm Mazzocco with the help of another man identified as Juan Rodriguez.
They held him down until police arrived. Neighbor Bonnie Jenkins wasn't surprised that Maroni got involved, even though he's recovering from a heart operation.
"That's him, that's the kind of guy he is," Jenkins said. "Though, he would do anything to protect anyone in this community, really, so it's good. I'm glad he's OK though.
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