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Arrest made in murder of man found dead on city steps

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh police arrested a man who they say shot another man last week and left him for dead on a set of city steps in Spring Garden.

Justin Parrotte, 28, is charged with homicide in the shooting death of 40-year-old John Miller.

Police arrested Parrotte on Thursday during a drug sting that turned physical. Fourteen officers were involved in making the arrest.

Police set up an undercover drug deal with Parrotte on Suismon Street. When they identified themselves, they said he ran from them, weaving through several streets.

At one point, Parrotte pulled out a gun, threw it on the ground and kept running, police said. After police caught him, they said they had to use physical force to get him into handcuffs.

The homicide charges stem from a deadly shooting Jan. 25 on Vinial Street.

According to the complaint, two other people were walking with Parrotte on the night of the shooting. Parrotte told one of them to wait at the bottom of the steps, and that person told police that there were several gunshots. the complaint says.

Surveillance video shows three people walking in the area and two running away. Police said the weapon used in the homicide was a stolen gun.

According to a criminal complaint, Parrotte wanted to know the names of informants in a drug bust on Phineas Street.  It was not clear with whom he had the conversation before the shooting.

After his arrest Thursday, Parrotte was taken to a hospital. He will be transferred to the Allegheny County Jail after he is discharged from the hospital, Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Emily Schaffer said.

Parrotte faces charges of running from police and stealing a gun in Robinson Township last year.

Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for continuing coverage.

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