Arrest made in shooting death of teenager in McKees Rocks

MCKEES ROCKS, Pa. — Police made an arrest Thursday in the high-profile shooting of a teenager in McKees Rocks.

William Hoston, 19, of the West End, will be charged with homicide in the death of 17-year-old Jihad Cromer, authorities said.

RELATED: Loved ones remember teen killed in McKees Rocks shooting

According to a criminal complaint said Cromer was playing video games Tuesday night in an apartment bedroom with at least three other people when they began joking about breaking down guns.

Hoston told police he was taking apart a gun and removing the clip when it accidentally discharged. A bullet struck Cromer in the head. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Allegheny County Police detectives interviewed Hoston for most of the day Thursday before charging him with criminal homicide and a weapons violation.

Only

was there as Hoston was led away to jail. Kaminski asked him if the shooting was an accident. He replied, “Yes, ma’am.”

According to the complaint, Hoston apologized to Cromer’s mother Wednesday night and told police that she forgave him for what happened.

Police learned about Hoston's involvement through Cromer’s mother, who told them about Hoston's visit and that other people around McKees Rocks told her that he had shot her son, the complaint stated.

Detectives found Hoston at his mother's home in Duquesne Thursday after searching several different family members’ homes this week. According to the complaint, Hoston actually called authorities to tell them where he was.

Cox Media Group