Security guard accused of homicide in Penn Hills hookah lounge shooting

A security guard is accused of killing one of two people shot at a hookah lounge and cigar bar in Penn Hills a month ago, Allegheny County Police said Monday.

Chaz Jackson, 42, of Pittsburgh was charged in connection with the death of 28-year-old Stephanie Stuart. He also was accused of injuring at least one of the surviving seven victims of the June 2 shooting at Ballers Hookah Lounge and Cigar Bar in the 3500 block of Laketon Road.

Jackson was working as an armed security guard at the lounge. The shooting was reported shortly before 3 a.m., police said.

Stuart of McKeesport and Nathaniel Smiley, 44, of Pittsburgh were found dead inside the club. Four men and three women were hurt by gunfire, police said.

Witnesses told police Jackson was one of the individuals responsible for the shooting, police said.

A few days after the shooting, Penn Hills Mayor Pauline Calabrese told TribLive that Smiley was the target of the shooting, and that it may have stemmed from a love triangle. Smiley was shot in the head after an argument with an unknown man at Ballers, according to authorities.

Two or more people are believed to have fired seven to 10 shots.

Ballers was operating without a liquor license.

Jackson is facing multiple charges including homicide, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person. He was denied bail at an arraignment Monday and sent to the Allegheny County Jail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 12.

The incident remains under investigation. County police are continuing to ask anyone with information to call their tipline at 833-255-8477.