YOUNGSTOWN Police surround duplex in effort to arrest suspect

The suspect had an ongoing feud with another teen who was found shot to death, police said.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Acting on a tip, police surrounded a brick duplex on Southern Boulevard this morning. Detective Sgt. Dave Lomax used a bullhorn to try to coax out a homicide suspect.
"There's no phone inside, so we're trying to talk him out," said Police Chief Richard Lewis. "If he's in there."
The 16-year-old suspect, who alternates between staying at his mother's home on Willis Avenue and his father's place in Maryland, may have been involved in the weekend homicide of Brandon Pete, 16, of Willis, said Detective Sgt. Ron Rodway.
Lomax used the bullhorn to repeat this message: "We have the residence surrounded and a pickup order for [the suspect]. We want the residents of the house to come out the front door now."
He also warned the residents of 3111 and 3113 Southern Blvd. that "if you don't exit the house, we're going to have to come in. We don't want anyone to get hurt."
At 11:20 a.m. a young man walked out of the front door with his hands clasped behind his neck. Police told him to walk backward toward them. The man did not match the suspect's description and was likely a resident of the duplex.
Rodway said the suspect and Pete had an ongoing feud.
Here's the scene: Police from the Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force in black helmets toting automatic weapons positioned themselves north of the duplex. FBI agents in camouflage jackets and hats perched on a porch across the street.
Police used cruisers and unmarked vehicles to block off traffic on Southern between Boston and Avendale.
The duplex's landlord said she was called this morning and asked to bring keys to police. She said she had seen the suspect there when she picked up the rent on April 5.
The woman, who did not want to be identified, said she had wanted to leave to pick up her grandchild, but decided to stay in case the police kicked in the door with a battering ram.
Pete was shot to death Saturday morning near Hillman Street on the South Side. Police said they found a crowd around him when they arrived.