Police charge New Kensington teen with Friday shooting

A 17-year-old New Kensington boy allegedly shot a girl in her leg during a fight in the city Friday evening, according to New Kensington police.

Police charged Deonte Joseph Slomkoski with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and possession of a firearm by a minor.

Slomkoski’s attorney, Duke George Jr., said he won’t know anything about the prosecution’s case against Slomkoski until his preliminary hearing, scheduled for Oct. 15 before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.

“These are allegations that have to be proven,” George said. “We’ll see if they are able to prove it.”

Pallone set bond for Slomkoski at $25,000 during his arraignment Tuesday morning. George said they were working on getting him released before he was sent to Westmoreland County’s juvenile detention center.

Police responded to the report of the shooting shortly before 7 p.m. Friday in the 400 block of Freeport Street.

According to the criminal complaint against Slomkoski, witnesses said the victim was being assaulted by more than one person. During the fight, a gunshot was heard and the victim suffered a gunshot wound to her right calf.

The victim’s age was not disclosed in the complaint.

Before being taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, the victim allegedly identified the shooter to officers as “Deonte,” but did not know his last name. Other witnesses told police where Deonte lives, and police knew Slomkoski to live there from prior contact.

An officer saw a person holding a red towel over his head walking on Freeport Street toward Slomkoski’s address, and believe it to be him, the complaint states.

Police said the fight was captured by video surveillance at New Kensington Fire Department Company 2.

Police said the video shows Slomkoski fighting with the girl on the ground. When she gets to her feet, Slomkoski allegedly pulls something from his waistband and extends his arm, pointing an object in his right hand.

“As Deonte lowers his right arm a plume of dirt erupts and the victim flees the area,” the complaint states.

Slomkoski is seen putting a red towel over his head and walking on Freeport Street toward his address.

A Westmoreland County detective spoke with the victim at the hospital, where she again identified the person who shot her as Slomkoski, and that he put a red towel over his head as he walked away.