MONESSEN, Pa. — A shooting suspect is in custody after barricading themselves inside a home in Westmoreland County Friday morning.
The incident on Leeds Avenue started just after 4:30 a.m. after authorities attempted to serve a search warrant for Jay Din Eleam, 21, following a shooting, according to police paperwork.
Late Thursday night, Monessen Police were called to Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital after a person who was shot showed up just after 11 p.m.
The victim was conscious and alert and told police he was sitting in his girlfriend’s car when he was shot.
According to police, the victim’s girlfriend told officers she and Eleam had an argument over the phone and Eleam told the victim to come to a home on Leeds Avenue to fight. The victim and his girlfriend then drove past the home on Leeds Avenue and parked in a back alley.
Police said they believe there was an exchange in gunfire between the victim and Eleam.
The victim was shot once in his forehead and driven to the hospital by his girlfriend before being flown to a Pittsburgh hospital. The victim is expected to survive.
On Friday morning, authorities attempted to execute the search warrant at a home on Leeds Avenue where they believed Eleam was staying. SWAT was called when they learned Eleam was hiding in the attic with a possible gun.
Eleam was taken into custody after a nearly five-hour standoff. He is facing charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, possessing instruments of crime, person not to possess, recklessly endangering another person and simple assault. Additional charges are expected to be filed.
Authorities said Eleam also had active warrants for his arrest.
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