New Kensington shooting victim dies; police seek bicyclist seen in area

A man shot in New Kensington last week has died, the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

Troy Vickers Jr., 31, was pronounced dead Saturday at a Pittsburgh-area hospital. The hospital was not identified.

Vickers was airlifted to a hospital after he was shot about 3:20 p.m. Oct. 19 in the 1000 block of Kenneth Avenue, near McCargo Street.

No arrests have been made, and county detectives and New Kensington police are continuing to investigate, the District Attorney’s Office said.

As part of their investigation, detectives are trying to identify and speak to a person who was seen riding a bicycle in the 1000 block of Kenneth Avenue during the afternoon hours of Oct. 19.

The District Attorney’s Office did not say whether the person is considered a suspect or a witness.

Anyone who can identify the person is asked to contact New Kensington police at 724-339-7533 or the county’s detective bureau at 724-830-3949.

A year ago, Vickers and his brother, Brian Vickers, then 19, were charged with attempted homicide and other offenses following a shootout at the Sheldon Park county housing plan in Harrison.

Allegheny County Police said that, on Oct. 13, 2022, Troy Vickers entered an apartment on Park Avenue through an open door and began firing at several people inside while Brian Vickers fired several rounds into the apartment from outside. Two people inside returned fire.

No one was hurt, and police said the two apartment occupants who returned fire legally possessed their firearms and had valid concealed carry permits.

While Troy Vickers was arrested in November 2022, a county police spokesman said the charges against him were dismissed. A reason for the dismissal was not immediately available.

No information was immediately available regarding the disposition of the charges against Brian Vickers. However, from a review of court records, it appears charges against both were expunged.