Man wanted in Wilkinsburg killing arrested in New Kensington

A 19-year-old man wanted since July in connection with the May 23 drug-related killing of a teen in Wilkinsburg was arrested Wednesday in New Kensington, police said.

Daeshuan Eric Smith of Penn Hills is charged with homicide, conspiracy and firearms violations in connection with the killing of Darin Hobdy, 17, also of Penn Hills.

Hobdy was killed on Vantine Street in Wilkinsburg as retribution for a drug-related theft, police said.

Deonatae DeShawn Nalls, 21, is also facing a homicide charge in connection with the killing, which was investigated by Wilkinsburg and Allegheny County police.

Hobdy went to Nall’s apartment in Plum and found it had been broken into. Hobdy called Nalls and when police responded Nalls told police $30,000 and an AR-15 were stolen, according to court documents.

Nalls said he had two other guns in his apartment, which Plum police secured. A live round cleared from one of Nalls’ Glock 9mms was later matched to three shell casings found near Hobdy’s body, according to court documents.

Investigators wrote in the criminal complaint against Nalls they believe this is a case in which Hobdy “was shot multiple times as retribution for a burglary of drug proceeds.”

Surveillance footage from near Vantine Street showed a green Nissan leaving the area around the time of the shooting. The car is believed to by Nalls’ green Nissan, which is missing a fog light and makes a noticeable mechanical sound, police said.

Smith is believed to be the second shooter responsible for Hobdy’s death, police said. He was charged June 7 and was picked up Wednesday on 10th Street in New Kensington.

Hobdy’s death was the fourth involving Penn Hills students who died between April and May.

Jason Hubert Jackson Jr., 17, was shot to death May 24 outside an abandoned Penn Hills home along Gibson Street. Daymeir Boyd, 17, was killed May 16 in Homewood. In April, Jason Lott Jr. died of a heroin overdose.

Another, as yet unidentified Penn Hills student was critically wounded Saturday after a shooting at the Haunted Hills Hayride in North Versailles.