Standoff resolved in Monessen after police attempt to serve search warrant

A Brownsville man is behind bars after police said he shot at another man in Monessen late Thursday.

Investigators said when they attempted to serve a search warrant early Thursday at a home near the shooting they learned Jay Din R. Eleam, 21, was reportedly hiding in an attic, possibly with a gun.

When he refused to come out, a five-hour police standoff ensued. It ended when Eleam attempted to run from the Leeds Avenue home around 9 a.m. and was captured, according to Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Melanie Jones.

Eleam was denied bail. He is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and related offenses in connection with the shooting.

Monessen police believe the shooting stemmed from an argument between Eleam and the mother of his child, according to court papers. The woman was driven to Leeds Avenue around 11 p.m. Thursday by her 27-year-old boyfriend.

Eleam came out of the house and fired a gun at the vehicle they were in, hitting the man in the head. The woman drove him to Penn Highlands Mon Valley hospital where he was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh facility. Police said there were two bullet holes in the windows of the car.

The injured man was expected to survive, Jones said.

Police from several surrounding agencies attempted to serve the search warrant at 4:30 a.m. Friday, according to court papers. The state police Special Emergency Response Team was requested to help at the standoff. Jones said additional charges are pending.

Eleam did not have an attorney listed in online court records. He was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison. An April 11 preliminary hearing is set.