New Details Emerging After Man Shot, Killed On South Side

A state trooper who fired shots at a man who was killed during a roving DUI patrol was the defendant in the wrongful shooting of an unarmed 12-year-old boy.

State police press secretary Jack Lewis confirmed that Trooper Samuel Nassan III "did fire shots" at Nicholas Haniotakis, 33, on Sunday in Pittsburgh's South Side.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala is still reviewing the shooting, and police aren't saying who else, if anyone, fired shots at Haniotakis when he allegedly tried to back over police during the patrol about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Court records show Haniotakis spent time in prison for trying to run over police during a suburban traffic stop in 2005. He also had a criminal record since 1999, including a conviction for aggravated assault.

Nassan was involved in the high-profile shooting death of Michael Ellerbe, 12, in Uniontown in December 2002.

Ellerbe was shot in the back as he was running away from a stolen car police were chasing. Nassan claimed he shot Ellerbe because he believed Ellerbe shot his partner, Trooper Juan Curry.

Nassan was cleared of criminal wrongdoing, but a civil court jury ruled in favor of the boy's family and the state was ordered to pay $12.5 million.

During a news conference, Pittsburgh police provided the following account of what led to the South Side shooting:

A city officer and a Pennsylvania State Police trooper, both in full uniform, were patrolling the South Side at about 1:30 a.m. in an unmarked state police vehicle. While sitting in traffic, the officers observed a white SUV with Ohio registration traveling south on 13th Street in the wrong lane and without headlights.

The SUV repeatedly lurched forward after it reached the intersection of 13th and East Carson streets, nearly broadsiding the police vehicle, authorities said.

When the officers activated their emergency lights and siren, the driver put the SUV in reverse and backed down 13th Street at a high rate of speed, police said.

A pursuit ensued, with the SUV traveling at a high rate of speed, until it crashed into a parked vehicle at the intersection of Wharton and 22nd streets.

The officers pulled behind the SUV and approached from both sides while giving orders for the driver to show his hands.

The driver refused to comply and put the SUV in reverse, striking the unmarked police vehicle and nearly striking one of the officers, police said.

The officers then fired into the SUV while continuing to issue commands for the driver to stop, police said.

Police said the driver backed up again, then pulled forward, sharply turning the SUV toward the second officer.

Additional shots were fired, authorities said.

The suspect pulled out and continued southbound on 22nd Street until crashing into a utility pole at Sarah Street, police said.

It is unclear whether a city officer, a state trooper, or both fired several shots. Medics transported the suspect to Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy shows Haniotakis died of gunshot wounds to the torso.

The Allegheny County district attorney is investigating.

Previous Stories: March 13, 2008: Pa. State Troopers Union Issues Statement On Ellerbe Ruling March 11, 2008: Jury Awards $28 Million To Family Of Boy Shot By State Troopers February 25, 2008: Forensic Pathologists Clash Over Shots Fired At 12-Year-Old