Clairton man’s dying declaration leads police to the alleged killer

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The first Baldwin Borough police officer to arrive at the scene of the shooting Sunday knelt over the mortally wounded 21-year-old man and asked who did it.

Although he was shot in the heart, James F. Hines of Clairton still named his coworker: James D. King, 33, of California-Kirkbride.

Mr. King is now charged with homicide, recklessly endangering another person, tampering with evidence and carrying a firearm without a license, according to Allegheny County police.

He had not been arrested by late Sunday night.

Mr. King worked with Mr. Hines at a personal care home at 936 Angelo Drive in Baldwin Borough called Community Options Inc., according to a criminal complaint.

Awitness to the shooting whowas not named in court paperworktold police that heor she got into an argumentwith Mr. King at the personalcare home just beforenoon. The witness said thatMr. Hines told Mr. King toleave because his shift wasover, and told Mr. King thatit was inappropriate to arguewith the witness.

The witness said Mr. King left the house and Mr. Hines also stepped outside. The witness told police he or she saw Mr. King go to his vehicle, put on a pair of blue latex gloves, pick up a handgun and point it at Mr. Hines.

Mr. King then fired at Mr. Hines, who fell to the ground, the witness said. Mr. King pointed the gun at the witness and then fled in a tan Hyundai sedan, according to a criminal complaint.

Investigators recovered three .45 caliber casings from the scene.

Mr. King was last seen driving that tan 2008 Hyundai sedan with the license plate tag JNB-7404, according to Allegheny County police. He is described as about 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 160 pounds and wearing glasses.

Police ask anyone who sees Mr. King to call 911 immediately. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call the police tip line at 833-ALL-TIPS.