Top Stories

1 killed, 3 injured in unrelated shootings near IUP campus; 2 taken into custody

INDIANA, Pa. — One person was killed and three others were wounded in unrelated shootings at two locations in Indiana early Saturday, investigators said.

The shootings did not take place on the campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and no students were involved, investigators said.

Two suspects were taken into custody.

TRENDING NOW:

The first shooting occurred shortly before 1 a.m. at North 12th and Philadelphia streets.

Police said Thomas Stanko, 21, of Kentucky, and another man were walking together when a group of three men approached them. During the confrontation, police said Stanko fired five rounds, striking the man he was with in the arm and a man from the group in the leg. Both victims were treated and released from a hospital.

Stanko was taken into custody and faces attempted homicide and other charges.

About 40 minutes later, police said a man and a woman were shot on Oakland Avenue. A Channel 11 News crew spotted a bullet hole in a house and several evidence markers on the ground nearby.

Police said 21-year-old Carlos Recaldecampos, of Indiana, was taken to the hospital, where he died. A 20-year-old Indiana woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Pictured: Matthew T. McNevin

A suspect identified as 20-year-old Matthew T. McNevin, of Indiana, was taken into custody. According to investigators, Recaldecampos had committed a theft last week against McNevin, who found Recaldecampos and engaged in a physical altercation with him. Police said the woman was a bystander who was shot during the fight.

McNevin is facing numerous charges, including criminal homicide.

"At some point, we as a community need to say, 'Enough is enough and we aren't going to tolerate gun violence in our community,'" Indiana County District Attorney Patrick Dougherty said.

Both suspects remain in jail and are scheduled to appear in court on April 10. Stanko's attorney, Phil DiLucente, issued the following statement:

"From my preliminary investigation, Private Stanko was clearly defending himself and a friend from being assaulted, while visiting friends at IUP.  At the preliminary hearing it will be proven that he acted to protect himself and his friend from serious bodily injury or death."

The shootings occurred during "IUPatty's Day," an unsanctioned student celebration of St. Patrick's Day. IUP administrators have said the party has nothing to do with the university, and they have toughened penalties for any student who abuses the school's code of conduct.

In 2014, the celebration got out of hand and police used pepper spray to break up the crowds. Hundreds of students, including many from IUP, partied in the streets and got into fights. At that time, borough police used social media to identify and arrest four men and one juvenile.

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