Pepper spray flushes out homicide suspect

Allegheny County Sheriff’s deputies found a 20-yearold homicide suspect hiding in an attic crawl space in McKeesport on Wednesday and used pepper spray to forcehim out.

Steven L. Sparrow of Penn Hills was wanted in the Sept. 2 killing of 26-year-old Andre Williams, who was shot at point-blank range in the forehead on Mark Drive in Penn Hills during what witnesses saidwas a planned drug deal.

Deputies received information Wednesday that Mr. Sparrow was hiding in the home of J’qua Paylor, 23, in the 2300 block of Bridge Street, Cmdr. Charles Rodriguez said in a press release.

The deputies saw movement in the home, entered and searched it but initially did not find Mr. Sparrow. They did notice that the home had an attic crawl space, but couldnot get into it.

The deputies called for help from the McKeesport Fire Department, which was able to give the deputies the “necessary tools” to get into the attic,Cmdr. Rodriguez said.

The deputies used pepper spray “in an effort to persuade” Mr. Sparrow to leave the crawl space, according to the release. Mr. Sparrow exited the attic and surrendered after about 45 minutes of negotiations, Cmdr. Rodriguez said.

Ms. Paylor returned home shortly after Mr. Sparrow’s surrender and was arrested on an outstanding warrant on unrelated charges, according to the release.

Investigators used Facebook messages, witness accounts and a phone number to tie Mr. Sparrow to Mr. Williams’ slaying.

Mr. Sparrow is charged withhomicide, robbery and illegalpossession of a firearm.