Teen charged in attempted homicide
CONNELLSVILLE – An early Thursday shooting left a city resident facing surgery and a Uniontown man charged with attempted homicide. Derrick Grogan, 36, of West Crawford Avenue, was taken to Presbyterian University Hospital in Pittsburgh shortly after the 2:30 a.m. incident.
A hospital spokeswoman declined to give his condition Thursday afternoon, stating it was not the hospital’s policy to give out patient information when there has been a violent crime.
Investigating officer Det. Lt. Thomas Cesario said he had been advised by the hospital that Grogan was taken to surgery to repair leg injuries during the afternoon hours.
The alleged shooter, Skylar Andrew McCargo, 19, of 138 Lenox St., was arraigned Thursday by District Justice Ronald Haggerty and placed in the Fayette County Prison after failing to post the $100,000 straight cash bond imposed during the hearing.
In addition to attempted homicide, McCargo is additionally charged with robbery, firearms not to be carried without a license, aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment stemming from the incident.
According to the affidavit filed by Connellsville police, the two men were arguing outside a 215 W. Fayette St. residence when McCargo pulled out a gun and demanded Grogan give him money.
Grogan attempted to leave the scene and ran along West Fayette Street to an unnamed alley while being pursued by McCargo who fired two shots during the chase, said police.
When Grogan reached North Arch Street, he tripped and fell to the ground. While on the roadway, police said McCargo shot Grogan in the lower right leg.
When he tried to escape, McCargo fired another shot into Grogan’s right knee.
Cesario said on-duty police officers Sgt. James Capitos and Cpl. Dan Wissler were dispatched to the scene after reports of gunshots being fired were received by 911.
Grogan named McCargo, who had left the scene, as the person who had shot him, said Cesario.
“We had information that he may be in Uniontown, so we contacted the Uniontown Police Department and they apprehended him about 5a.m.,” said Cesario.
Police have not determined the cause of the argument or how McCargo came to be in possession of the Ruger 9mm gun used in the shooting.
During the Thursday hearing, McCargo told Haggerty that a statement made to police by Grogan that he held the gun to his head after he fell to the ground, was false.
“After I did this, I did not put the gun up against his head,” said McCargo.
According to the affidavit, after placing the gun to Grogan’s head, McCargo threatened to kill him.
Flanked by his father, McCargo questioned the $100,000 bond and asked Haggerty how to have the amount reduced in order to be released from jail.
“I ain’t got that,” he told Haggerty.
Haggerty, meanwhile, advised McCargo to obtain counsel to assist him with his legal questions.
“You can’t hesitate,” he said. “You need an attorney.”
A preliminary hearing in the matter is scheduled for May 29 at 9:30 a.m.