Witness IDs Larimer homicide suspect; Warrant issued

PITTSBURGH — Police have issued an arrest warrant for a man they say is responsible for killing a man who'd been credited with saving a 16-year-old girl stabbed at a Target store last year.

Authorities said the victim, 37-year-old Hosea Davis, was shot at least 16 times with an assault rifle weapon before his body was found in the 6400 block of Rapidan Way about 12:45 p.m. Monday.

On Wednesday, investigators told Channel 11's Renee Kaminski that the suspect in the shooting is 29-year-old Rodney Howard Jr. He will be charged with one count of criminal homicide, police said.

Investigators said a witness, who police did not identify in the criminal complaint, told detectives Davis was bringing a bag of heroin to Rapidan Way when a man the witness knew to be Howard came around the corner with an A-K assault weapon and began firing.

The witness dove into weeds to hide and stayed until the shooting stopped, police said. The witness also picked Howard out of photo array, police said.

Howard stands about 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs about 210 pounds, according to police.

Investigators said he is known to reside in Larimer and frequent the eastern neighborhoods. He also had addresses listed in McKeesport.

Authorities said Howard should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information on Howard's whereabouts is asked to call the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Homicide Division (412) 323-7161.

Davis, who had a history of gun and drug convictions, was credited with saving the teen girl when he helped subdue a homeless man charged with stabbing her and three other people at the store in the city's East Liberty section on March 25.

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