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Carrick homicide suspect arrested for second time during drug deal
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A Carrick man wanted for the second time in a New Year's Eve homicide was arrested today after undercover narcotics detectives said they caught him dealing crack cocaine.
Dana Johnson, 25, was charged in October with fatally shooting Donald Russell, 23, of Bethel Park, at party in Arlington on Dec. 31, 2011. Those charges were withdrawn at a preliminary hearing on Friday and police obtained another warrant to arrest him in the death on Tuesday.
Witnesses told police that Mr. Johnson, armed with an AK-47, pulled out a gun during a party in the 300 block of Sterling Street and aimed it at Mr. Russell's chest. They said they ran out of the room and then heard gunshots, according to a criminal complaint.
Police received a tip earlier this year that Mr. Johnson and a woman were organizing crack cocaine deals. When they learned that Mr. Johnson had been released from the Allegheny County Jail following his preliminary hearing on Friday, they arranged to meet with him to buy the drug. They met Mr. Johnson again today, bought crack cocaine from him and then arrested him on drug charges, according to a criminal complaint.
Mr. Johnson was awaiting arraignment tonight on the drug charges and homicide charge.
First Published December 5, 2012 11:19 pm
