Suspect in Wendy's shooting arrested

MCKEESPORT, Pa. — Two days after a shooting inside a Swissvale Wendy’s, the man who police say pulled the trigger has been arrested.

The Allegheny County Police Fugitive Squad arrested Ronald Burton on McCarrell Street in McKeesport around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday.

His attorney told Channel 11 that his client planned on turning himself in, but was hiding because he was afraid for his life.

“He said, 'if you look at the video, it's apparent the shooting was justified,'” said Blaine Jones. “Mr. Burton acted 100 percent in self-defense.”

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Police responded to the Wendy's on Monday night after investigators say Burton and another man confronted each other while Burton was at work.

Police say security video shows "Burton quickly turns around and we could see both males reach down by their waistbands ..."

Seconds later, they say, Burton fired his gun.

Jones said he didn’t know why Burton had a gun while he was at work. Burton pleaded guilty to a weapons charge in 2010, making it illegal for him to possess a gun.

“I have not spoken to him about ... that in particular,” Jones said. “All I can tell you, all he has expressed to me, (were) that his actions were in self-defense.”

Burton told police over the phone that he ran two miles from the restaurant to a wooded area where he ditched his gun and some clothes.

Cox Media Group