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Suspect dead after confronting U.S. Marshals with air gun

PITTSBURGH — The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office released the name of a fugitive wanted on child sex charges who was fatally shot by members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force Tuesday morning in Pittsburgh.

The dead man was identified as Leslie Sapp III, 47.

Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay said the federal task force was trying to arrest Sapp when he brandished what turned out to be a BB pistol at the top of a stairway at his home, on Redlyn Street in the city’s Knoxville neighborhood, around 4:30 a.m.

McLay said Sapp drew a gun that appeared to be real, prompting a state trooper, sheriff’s deputy and U.S. marshal to shoot in self-defense.

The medical examiner confirmed that Sapp took multiple shots to his torso.

The criminal complaint said Sapp was being sought in the alleged rape of a girl described as a family friend.

Authorities considered Sapp as high risk and said he's been on the run since July.

Channel 11's Alan Jennings reported that Sapp has a long criminal history dating back to 1986.

According to the criminal complaint, the alleged sexual assault victim, a 14-year-old girl, told investigators last July that Sapp raped and sexually assaulted her over a three-year span dating back to when she was just 10.

In addition to that case, police said Sapp’s been in and out of jail on robbery, theft and firearms charges for the last 20 years.

Isaac Chapman told Channel 11 News he was shocked to learn a wanted fugitive was hiding in his neighborhood.

“It’s basically quiet, from what I’ve seen. There’s no noise and everybody stays to themselves,” Chapman said.

The U.S. marshals, Sheriff’s Office and state police all said they would not comment until city police finish their investigation.

WPXI

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