2 suspects arrested in deadly North Side shooting
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Two men are now behind bars at the Allegheny County Jail in connection to a mass shooting on the North Side on Oct. 15.
While two men are in custody, police are still searching for a third in the shooting that left three people dead along Cedar Avenue, including two innocent bystanders, 59-year-old Betty Averytt and 33-year-old Jaquelyn Mehalic, who were waiting for a bus.
Jaylone Hines, 21, was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal homicide, two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm prohibited, police said.
RELATED: 3 people dead, another hospitalized after shooting on Pittsburgh's North Side
Charron Troutman, 19, is charged with one count of criminal homicide, one count of aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, persons not to possess firearm and not to carry without a license, police said.
Police believe 20-year-old John Hornezes, the third person who was shot and killed that night, also played a role. When police found him in the park, there was a gun next to him, investigators said.
Surveillance video showed a gun battle, and investigators said they believe Hornezes, Hines and another shooter were firing at a car that Troutman was a passenger in.
"Our investigation was primarily aided by video footage from several different sources in and around the area where the shooting incident occurred," Pittsburgh Police Detective David O'Neil said.
Police are still looking for another shooter who they said ran to a vehicle and drove off. The investigation is ongoing. Several law enforcement agencies have been involved, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals.
Mayor Ed Gainey continues to ask that those with information come forward.
"This is the first time that I've heard of that so many tips are coming in, so many people from the community are calling and saying, 'What is going on?'" Gainey said. "I thank you for that. It's helping us out, it's helping us be able to get leads and continue to solve cases."
For the victims' loved ones, they are closer to justice, but there is a hole in their hearts.
"Her children will still live their lives without her," said Bridgette Mehalic, Jacquelyn's mother. "Everyone will still live without her."
"I'm just heartbroken," said Laronda Averytt, Betty's daughter. "My soul is empty."
Police said Averytt and Mehalic were caught in the crossfire of "gang activity."
"We don't have what you would consider traditional gangs like you did in the 1990s and early 2000s," O'Neil said.
Police said these groups are not affiliated with a neighborhood or territory but would confirm they are involved in illegal activities.
"It's a different environment out here that we are tracking down," said Gainey. "The one thing common is guns."
For the victims' loved ones, Wednesday is bittersweet. People will be held responsible for this heinous crime, but it won't bring them back. Mehalic leaves behind four children. Averytt's daughter won't let her memory be forgotten.
"The 2-year-old, if she hears a female voice on the phone, she's like, 'hi mommy,'" Bridgette Mehalic said.
"I want my mother, beautiful brown Betty, to live on forever through me and my family," Laronda Averytt said.
