A violent spree unfolded in Robinson Township, leading to the death of a motel manager and the critical injury of a woman, subsequently sparking a confrontation with law enforcement that resulted in another shooting. WPXI reports that Allegheny County police have accused 38-year-old Stanley West of homicide, attempted homicide, and recklessly endangering another person after the fatal shooting at a local motel.
The saga began when police received a call about a dispute at the motel located on Steubenville Pike, where West reportedly shot his female companion. However, she managed to escape to a nearby business seeking help, not long after the motel manager, 50-year-old Rakesh Ehagaban, ventured out to the chaos and was mortally wounded. An eyewitness and employee at the motel, Lemel Howell, recalls the stark moments telling WPXI, "Went in there, sat down, and I always play with my daughter when I’m done, I put a movie in, and then I heard, pow, pow, pow, pow, pow. And I see my boss laying on the ground."
After fleeing the scene, West was located by detectives inside a U-Haul van on Wilner Drive in East Hills; as they attempted to apprehend him, West emerged from the vehicle firing upon the officers, a confrontation that left both an officer and West injured, with West being taken to the hospital in critical condition. WTAE detailed that the officer, subsequently released from the hospital, received well-wishes from Martin Devine, Acting Chief of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, stating, "The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is grateful to the incredible care provided by the doctors and nurses at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital and to all of our local law enforcement partners who work so hard to keep Allegheny County safe in the fight against violent crime."
The investigation is ongoing and being led by the Pennsylvania State Police.
