Charges filed in November murder of Monessen teen

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — A Monessen teenager is being charged as an adult in the November murder of another teenager, the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office announced Thursday.

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The shooting happened Nov. 29 after 8 p.m. on South 14th Street in Monessen.

The victim, 16-year-old Amari Altomore, died the next day at a hospital from his injuries.

Police say they found Altomore laying on this Reservoir Street porch. Authorities say video surveillance shows Altomore bent over, holding his abdomen as he crossed the street before collapsing there.

Today, 11 News went to Newton’s home where he lives with his mother.

No one was home when we knocked.

The criminal complaint quotes Newton’s mother, Tanleshia Thompson.

Thompson said Newton and Altomore were alone on the second floor of the house playing video games when she heard a “pop sound.”

She says Newton ran down the steps saying Altomore had been “hit.”

Police say video surveillance also shows Newton running out the back of the house after the shooting.

John Custer is the President of the board for the Schooner youth Center in Monessen. Custer tells Channel 11 that when he heard about a 16 year old shot and killed in the community he was devastated.

“They’re just children that need connected to responsible adults,” Custer said. “It’s not that they’re all wild running the streets but there are plenty of need for mentoring, guidance and that sort of thing.”

Newton has been charged with criminal homicide and possession of a firearm by a minor.

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Ice covers grass, roads in parts of eastern Westmoreland County

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