Cops: Teen suspect arrested in robbery, shooting in Derry Township
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State police have arrested a third suspect in connection with the shooting Sunday of a Derry Township man during a bungled drug deal and robbery.
Brandon E. “Lil-Drizzy” Thomas, 17, of Scottdale, was arraigned Tuesday in county night court on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and theft by deception, according to court dockets. State police charged Thomas as an adult.
Details of Thomas’ arrest were not disclosed. District Judge Charles Moore ordered him held in the county juvenile detention center on $250,000 bond.
Michael E. Sawyer, 28, of Salem and Lorraine Painter, 22, of Greensburg were arrested Sunday after the shooting and robbery that occurred around 3:30 p.m. outside the victim’s residence in the 200 block of McFarland Avenue. An arrest warrant was issued for Thomas after witnesses identified him as one of the participants.
The victim’s identity was not released. He was flown to UPMC Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment.
Police allege Painter, Sawyer and Thomas drove to the victim’s home to buy THC wax.
Police said when the trio arrived at the residence, witnesses said Thomas got out of the car and attempted to make the transaction “using fake money” that was purchased online.
An altercation ensued and Sawyer “had a firearm in his possession and shot the victim in the groin area,” police reported.
Painter, Sawyer and Thomas then drove off, but a witness got a description of the car and a license plate number that identified Painter as the owner, according to police.
Sawyer is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and theft. He is being held in the county jail on $250,000 bond.
Painter is charged with robbery and theft. She was jailed on $20,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing.