Aug 22, 2013 2 min read

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Authorities in Western Pennsylvania said a man being sought in two slayings about a month apart earlier this year has been taken into custody.

James Lawrence, 21, was arrested Wednesday morning by police and federal marshals after fleeing a residence in the Homewood section of Pittsburgh, officials in Allegheny County said.

Lawrence is charged in the Feb. 13 slaying of 28-year-old Tiona Jackson of Allentown, who was shot outside a Pittsburgh bar, and in the March 30 death of 21-year-old Steven Lee Jr. of McKees Rocks, who was pulled from a party bus and shot multiple times. Two other men were arrested earlier, one in each of the slayings.

Investigators said when he was arrested, Lawrence was wearing a bulletproof vest and had a camouflage mask and a pair of black gloves, while inside the house near the door were an assault rifle and a bag of ammunition.

U.S. Marshal Steve Frank said the Western Pennsylvania fugitive task force had arrested nearly 500 fugitives in the past year, but this was “one of the most significant arrests” of the year. Lawrence was believed to be a serious threat to the community,” he said.

Lawrence remained in custody and court documents did not indicate whether he has an attorney.