Shooting suspect faces charges
A Uniontown who allegedly shot a teenager during a shootout in a Uniontown housing complex earlier this month is now facing multiple charges. Uniontown police Detective Donald M. Gmitter said Harold Allen Jones II, 20, of 63 Pershing Court was charged Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Brenda Cavalcante with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, illegal possession of a firearm, altering or obliterating marks of identification on a firearm and possession of a firearm with an altered manufacturer’s number.
Gmitter said Jones shot a 17-year-old Uniontown boy in Pershing Court around 4:40 p.m. June 3 following several weeks of gunplay between the two.
Gmitter said the incident occurred when Jones confronted the teen that Jones claims had threatened him with a gun multiple times in the weeks leading up to the shooting.
Jones told police that the teen would pull a handgun whenever he was near and fire the weapon into the air.
A few days before the shooting, Jones and the boy had a physical altercation during which the teen allegedly pistol-whipped Jones.
When Jones went to a vehicle where the teen was sitting, Gmitter said the boy pulled a gun and fired it at Jones.
At that point, Jones pulled his own gun and shot the boy in the ankle.
Jones fled on foot and was apprehended a short time later in a Pershing Court apartment, Gmitter said.
Gmitter said the boy was treated at Uniontown Hospital and released.
Two handguns were recovered following the incident, Gmitter said.
In addition to the charges related to the shooting, Gmitter said Jones was arraigned Wednesday on a warrant issued from Trumbull County, Ohio, on aggravated trespassing charges.
Gmitter said additional charges are pending regarding the shooting.
Jones was placed in the Fayette County Prison on a combined $30,000 straight cash bond.
A preliminary hearing is set for Tuesday in Uniontown.
A hearing regarding the charges from Ohio will be held at the Fayette County Courthouse at a later date.