New Castle man charged in shooting at McKeesport cookout

A New Castle man is headed to Common Pleas court on charges that he shot a man during an argument at a Memorial Day Weekend family cookout in McKeesport.

Allegheny County Police charged Vance Sykes, 30, in the May 26 shooting with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and a firearms offense.

All four charges were held for court during a preliminary hearing Monday in front of District Judge Eugene F. Riazzi, Jr., court records show. He is set to be arraigned Aug. 2 in Common Pleas Court.

McKeesport police responded at 7:03 p.m. that day to the 100 block of Marshall Drive for a report of a person who had been shot, a criminal complaint in the case said.

A man, who police did not name, was found inside a vehicle, suffering from gunshot wounds to the leg and lower abdomen, the complaint said.

First responders rushed him in critical condition to Forbes Regional Medical Center in Monroeville. He later was released from the hospital, Allegheny County Police said on Monday.

Police found Sykes on the same block, suffering from gunshot wounds to the groin and arm, the complaint said. A pink-and-silver revolver — later identified as a Taurus Ultralite .38 caliber revolver — was found nearby.

Sykes was taken to UPMC Mercy.

Allegheny County Police found three, spent .40 caliber casings and drops of blood in a driveway in front of a Marshall Drive home, the complaint said.

ShotSpotter recorded two gunshots that night, followed by three more, police said.

A witness, who authorities say owns the gun, later told police they have been in a relationship with Sykes for two months. They saw Sykes throw a 13-year-old girl into a pool that night and then get into an argument with another male, police said. Gunshots followed.

Police did not name the witness.

The victim, who police also did not name, later identified Sykes as the shooter from a photo line-up, the complaint said.

Sykes, after being hospitalized due to the shooting, refused to speak with Allegheny County Police detectives, the complaint said.

Attorney Stephen Colafella, who represents Sykes, was not immediately available Monday morning.

Sykes also is facing charges in connection with a separate incident in Pittsburgh, where he was charged with making terroristic threats, simple assault and possession of marijuana, court records show.

A non-jury trial in front of Common Pleas Court Judge Elliot Howsie is set to start in the second case on July 22.