Masontown Man Shot, Killed Night Before 36th Birthday

MASONTOWN, Pa.,None — Police are searching for a gunman after a Fayette County man was shot in the head late Monday night.

The shooting happened shortly before 10 p.m. along North Water Street in Masontown.

Police said Leon Mickens was shot in the head and shoulder and was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital, where he later died.

Witnesses said Mickens was found in an alley with his pants around his ankles.

"It was unbelievable seeing someone there laying there the way he was," said neighbor Bill Minerd.

People who live close to the scene of the shooting said they tried helping Mickens until medics arrived.

"With me being a nurse's aide, I tried to help and it was just an awful thing for anyone to see, just awful," Alice Fletcher said

Police said the suspect, described as a white man between 16 and 20 years old, fled on a bicycle toward Mason Village.

"A neighbor kid said he saw a white guy with a red shirt take off on a bicycle toward the projects," Minerd said.

Police haven't said what they believe the motive was, but they do think the shooter's girlfriend may live in the area he fled to.

Family members of Mickens gathered at his mother's house Tuesday afternoon to mourn his death. The victim's aunt said Mickens' sister died the same way he did.

"I think it's a tragedy that my sister-in-law has lost two children tragically. Her daughter, 10 years ago, died the same way," said Yma Smith, Mickens' aunt.

Smith said Mickens and his sister were also shot and killed in the same area.

Police said the shooter is between 16 and 20 years old. Tuesday was supposed to be Mickens' 36th birthday.

"The first thing I thought about was, 'Oh no. It's all over again.' But one thing I would like to tell the public and the people is that God is with this family," Smith said.

Investigators have not identified the shooter and are asking anyone with information to contact the Masontown Police Department.

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