Man wanted in shooting death of Beaver County man arrested in Fayette County
BEAVER FALLS, Pa. (KDKA) — Police have arrested a suspect accused of killing a man and leaving his body in a vacant building in Beaver Falls.
Daniel Felo II, who was wanted for homicide and robbery in the death of Eric Mason on Dec. 29, was arrested on Jan. 9 in Connellsville, Fayette County. The Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force said he was taken into custody without incident.
Court documents describe how Mason's body was found on Dec. 30 wrapped in tarps and tied up with extension cords in an empty building that was being remodeled on 11th Street. Police said the 48-year-old had been shot in the back of the head.
"Anybody that I have spoke with that knew him really cared about him, said he was a great guy, always had a smile on his face. The streets are a little bit rattled by this one," Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible said on Jan. 7.
"There's a lot of very upset people in Beaver Falls and the county as a whole," he added.
Court documents said a woman reported her vehicle stolen on Dec. 30, saying Mason borrowed the car and never came back. The complaint said she called again minutes later and said a man she knows found the car and a body believed to be Mason's inside the vacant building.
The affidavit said a witness told investigators they heard Felo on the phone saying Mason "ratted" on his friend and that friend got 15 years in prison.
Bible said on Jan. 7 that law enforcement would have reached this point in the investigation without the community. He said this was a great example of the community coming together to help police find their suspect.
"Really a huge team effort from the community with a lot of individuals providing information," he said.
The DA said Beaver Falls police and county detectives are familiar with Felo. The criminal complaint said he had convictions for aggravated assault in 2005 and 2007.
They wanted to arrest Felo as soon as possible and get justice for Mason, who had deep ties in the Beaver Falls community.
"Anytime gun violence or any violence is committed in the community, it is truly a loss. It's really important as a community to continue to do what we do to step up and be supportive of each other and do what we can to help prevent these things. Because prevention is always the best way," Beaver Falls Mayor Kenya Johns said on Jan. 7.
There were four homicides in Beaver County over the 10 days before New Year's Eve, and two of them were in Beaver Falls. Investigators don't believe the cases are connected.
