3 more people questioned in Wilkinsburg mass shooting face unrelated charges

WILKINSBURG, Pa. — A man who has already been questioned once and three others were brought to police headquarters Wednesday to be questioned in connection with a mass shooting in Wilkinsburg last month that left six people, including an unborn child, dead.

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Allegheny County Police Lt. Andrew Sherman said that despite the additional questioning, the investigation remains very active and a $20,000 reward is still being offered for information that leads to an arrest or arrests in the case.

Four women, including one who was eight months pregnant, and one man were killed and three were wounded on the night of March 9 when two gunmen ambushed a cookout in the back yard of a home on Franklin Avenue, according to authorities. One shooter with a .40-caliber handgun approached from an alley and began shooting, while another with an AK-47 assault-style rifle fired at partygoers as they attempted to run into the house.

Several children were inside when the shots rang out.

Officials identified those killed as Jerry Shelton, 35, Tina Shelton, 37, Brittany Powell, 27, Chanetta Powell, 25, and Shada Mahone, 26.%

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Jerry Shelton, Brittany Powell and Chanetta Powell were siblings. Their mother, Jessica Shelton, also lost two nieces in the shooting and another of her sons was among the wounded.

More than 40 shell casings were removed from the scene by officers.

Cheron Shelton was one of the four people questioned Wednesday. Authorities questioned him about the shooting once before on March 25. Neither Shelton nor the others questioned Wednesday have been charged in the shooting.

However, Cheron Shelton and the other three, identified as Robert Thomas, Justin Gomez and Ashley Smith, are facing charges in connection with an incident involving guns and drugs that took place more than three years ago.%

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According to the criminal complaint obtained by Channel 11 News Wednesday, investigators served active warrants on Cheron Shelton and Gomez at an apartment on Hill Avenue in Wilkinsburg in February 2013.

Smith rented the apartment, and the other three were there at the time of the bust.

Inside the apartment, investigators found heroin, handguns and an assault rifle, according to the complaint. It was later determined that two of the weapons were stolen.

All four are now facing new charges related to the incident.

Prior to Wednesday’s filing of charges, Cheron Shelton was already in jail on a separate gun charge and one of possessing stolen property. His bail was set at $250,000. His attorney declined to comment.

The Allegheny County district attorney declined to say whether Cheron Shelton, Thomas, Gomez and/or Smith are suspects in the Wilkinsburg mass shooting.

Cox Media Group