Lawrence County

Search for homicide suspect underway after man’s suspicious death in New Castle

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — What police first identified as a deadly crash in New Castle is now a homicide investigation, and the accused shooter was just charged.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Man’s death in New Castle crash being investigated as suspicious, police say

A man was found dead at the scene of a crash early Wednesday morning. Police are now saying that man, Lance Louis, 42, was shot and killed.

After an initial investigation into the crash, police have identified the suspect as Leighton Weaver, 20.

Police said Weaver is from Youngstown, Ohio, and is a convicted felon.

A witness told police he was there when Weaver shot Louis in the back after the two met up outside a house on Adams Street.

Louis was hurt, but drove off with a woman in the passenger seat before crashing into a utility pole.

The car caught on fire. The woman was injured in the incident.

Once on scene, police found Louis lying on the ground. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

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