Two other teen suspects in Washington Food Mart shooting arrested
Mike Jones/Observer-Reporter
Police have arrested the two other suspects accused in Sunday night’s robbery at the Washington Food Mart in which a customer was shot when she pulled out a concealed weapon in self defense.
Christian Zavier Patrene, 19, and Christopher Ellis-Valperga, 18, were arrested Friday and charged with attempted homicide and numerous other felony charges in connection with the incident at the convenience store, Washington police said.
Julian Asbury, 17, of Washington, was arrested Monday and faces similar charges in the robbery and shooting.
Police said the three teens walked into the store at 701 W. Chestnut St. in the city about 10:30 p.m. Sunday and attempted to rob it at gunpoint. A woman playing a video gambling machine inside apparently pulled out a handgun in self defense, but was shot multiple times.
City police officers responded shortly after the teens left the store, and they tended to the woman’s wounds before she was taken to a Pittsburgh area hospital for treatment. Police have not identified the woman or released information on the severity of her injuries, but said she was stable at the hospital.
Investigators identified the three teens and arrested Asbury the following day. Police later secured arrest warrants for Patrene and Ellis-Valperga and searched a Hayes Avenue home in the city Friday, but were unable to locate the two teens. Washington police later announced on the department’s Facebook page that both men were in custody Friday night.
Ellis-Valperga is charged with attempted homicide, carrying a firearm without a license, receiving stolen property, reckless endangerment and two counts each of robbery and aggravated assault, while Patrene is facing related conspiracy charges to the felony counts. Both Washington men were arraigned Friday night by District Judge Kelly Stewart, who ordered them to be held without bond while they await their preliminary hearing, tentatively scheduled for Dec. 17 at 2 p.m.
Asbury is also charged with conspiracy to commit homicide, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession of a firearm by a minor, two counts of aggravated assault and three counts each of robbery and reckless endangerment. He was charged as an adult and is being held on $200,000 cash bond after it was modified Wednesday following a bail hearing at Washington County Court of Common Pleas. His preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 15 at 2:30 p.m.