Monroeville Mall Shooting Wasn't Suspect's First Brush With The Law
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- KDKA-TV has learned the shooting at the Monroeville Mall wasn't suspect 17-year-old Tarod Thornhill's first brush with the law.
A police source tells us that Thornhill, at age 14, was the person behind the wheel of a jeep Cherokee that overturned in Churchill after a brief chase from Penn Hills, where the car was stolen.
Investigators say the owner parked it for a minute on Bessemer street with the keys inside, while she used the bathroom. When she returned, the car was gone and ended up overturned.
Melissa Leon, the owner was shocked.
"I feel violated," she said in 2012. "Yeah I do, my car is a pancake right now."
Thornhill, who was not publicly identified at the time because he was a juvenile, was seriously injured, but survived -- and survived whatever his punishment was within the juvenile justice system.
Over the weekend law enforcement, would pursue him again.
Monroevile's mayor is trying to move forward.
"I could have had 100 officers down there," said Monroeville Mayor Gregory Erosenko. "If you have somebody that wants to commit a crime, until they do it, we're not going to know it anyway. How's it make me feel? Very sad and very upset. Again, this is our town and we don't ... I don't take that lightly."
Thornhill's preliminary hearing in the Monroeville case is scheduled for next week.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
