Suspect in attempted homicide case in Monessen arrested on Friday
A suspect gunman in an attempted homicide case that occurred last month in Monessen was placed behind bars on Friday, after a warrant for his arrest was issued earlier this week.
Joseph “Jo Jo” Heath, 27 of Monessen was arrested for charges, including criminal homicide, after being accused of shooting Timothy “Boo” Kershaw 31, of Monessen during an incident along the 1600 block of Summit Avenue on June 25, according to court documents.
Police said they were dispatched to Summit Avenue around 3 a.m. after receiving reports of shots being fired, according to the affidavit.
When police arrived on scene at 3:04 a.m., Gabriel Cannoni told police that he was driving with Kershaw along Summit Avenue toward Dennis Avenue when they stopped the vehicle to allow a red Honda sedan to pass in the opposite direction.
Cannoni told police the two men exited the vehicle and observed them gripping “handguns” as they approached him and Kershaw, according to court documents.
Kershaw allegedly exited Cannoni’s vehicle and fled on foot to hide while the two men, who were later identified as Heath and Rashawn “Shawnee” Ford, 21 of Monessen, approached the vehicle.
Heath encountered Cannoni at gunpoint and ordered him to get out of the vehicle, stole his phone and told him to “walk away,” according to the affidavit.
Cannoni told police he fled the area and saw Kershaw emerge from an unknown location when both Kershaw and Cannoni were running down Summit Road. Cannoni became tired and hid behind nearby brush.
Cannoni told police he observed Heath fire one shot in the direction of where Kershaw was running on Summit Avenue, and both men proceeded to go back to the vehicle and fled the area.
According to Charleroi Regional police officer David Kimball, he located Kershaw injured at the intersection of Graham Avenue and Summit Avenue.
Kershaw was flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital for a confirmed gunshot wound to the right thigh, according to police.
According to court documents, Kershaw told police during an interview on July 3 that Heath was the individual that shot him, possibly because there is conflict between them.
Ford, Heath’s alleged accomplice was also issued an arrest warrant for his charge of conspiracy to commit criminal homicide, according to court documents and has not been taken into custody as of Saturday afternoon.
Heath faces 14 charges, including criminal homicide, conspiracy, robbery, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and reckless endangerment.
Heath is lodged in the Westmoreland County Prison in lieu of a $30,000 bond.