Wilkinsburg man could serve 87 years in prison after exchanging shots with police in 2018
A Wilkinsburg man who was shot by police after exchanging gunfire with officers responding to a 2018 burglary call was sentenced to between 43½ and 87 years in prison on aggravated assault charges.
Allegheny County Judge Kevin Sasinoski sentenced Randall Hockett, 34, on Monday. Following the sentence, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office withdrew two counts of attempted homicide, the DA’s office said in a statement.
Hockett is accused of firing three shots at two Wilkinsburg police officers who were responding to a Jan. 21, 2018, burglary at 1810 Clark St., according to a criminal complaint.
Three .40 caliber shell casings from the gun police contend Hockett used were found, police said. They also found seven .45 caliber casings that were fired by police who exchanged gunfire with Hockett during the incident, police said.
Hockett was shot in the chest by police, according to the complaint.
The occupant of the house had been fighting with Hockett and asked him to leave. Hockett returned twice and after the second visit, the person, who was not identified in the complaint, called police.
Tom Davidson is a TribLive news editor. He has been a journalist in Western Pennsylvania for more than 25 years. He can be reached at tdavidson@triblive.com.
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