Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, April 29.
Suspects surrender in Washington County shooting
Two men charged in a double shooting in Washington County have turned themselves in, Pennsylvania State Police said.
Windale “Winnie” Barfield Jr., 19, and Karon Whitlock, 20, both of Washington, surrendered Sunday in the April 13 shooting that killed 18-year-old Annalaya Wilkerson and injured a 17-year-old girl, according to TribLive news partner WTAE.
Pennsylvania State Police
Windale Barfield Jr. (left) and Karon Whitlock
The shooting occurred in the 500 block of Jolly School Road in South Franklin Township. State police told WTAE the suspects were known to the victims, but it’s unclear to what extent.
Police charged Barfield and Whitlock last Monday with homicide, attempted homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide and aggravated assault, court records show. In addition, Whitlock was charged with firearm possession.
The two men were arraigned Sunday and taken to Washington County Prison. A judge denied both of them bail.
South Side patrol report
Pittsburgh police announced Monday that they had made six arrests and 17 traffic stops from Wednesday through Sunday last week as part of their South Side entertainment patrol.
The special patrol, which covers the neighborhood’s business district on evenings and nights around the weekends, has dedicated officers to the East Carson Street business district since July 2023.
Arrests have included serious crimes such as aggravated assaults, resisting arrest and drug and gun offenses, as well as more mundane violations such as false identification, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.
While crime statistics showed the area earlier this year wasn’t becoming more violent, some people have voiced concerns about safety on the South Side. Others have claimed that a “false narrative” about South Side being problematic has hurt businesses.
In addition to patrolling the area, the 10 officers and sergeant who make up the patrol also have worked to build partnerships with residents and businesses.
In addition to the recent arrests, the patrol issued 21 traffic citations, 36 non-traffic citations and 42 parking citations between Wednesday and Sunday, police said. Police also recovered two guns and towed 30 vehicles.
Justin Vellucci is a TribLive reporter covering crime and public safety in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. A longtime freelance journalist and former reporter for the Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, he worked as a general assignment reporter at the Trib from 2006 to 2009 and returned in 2022. He can be reached at [email protected].
