FARRELL Eyewitness identifies shooting suspect

The bullet casings came from the same type of weapon described by the witness.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
FARRELL, Pa. -- Court documents say an eyewitness identified Arthur Norman Paige Jr. as the man who shot and killed a Fruit Avenue man in front of his home Oct. 3.
The witness, a New Castle resident, told police earlier this week that Paige, 26, of Fleetwood Court, Wheatland, pointed a Glock .45-caliber handgun at Rasceo A. Riley, 30, of 218 Fruit Ave., as Riley left his porch around 11:45 p.m.
The witness said he heard a shot and began to run away, hearing three more shots as he ran.
Police said they recovered four spent .45-caliber bullet casings at the scene of the shooting. Analysis of those casings showed they came from a Glock .45-caliber handgun.
Police had questioned Paige earlier in the investigation but released him when he could add nothing to the case.
They secured a warrant Wednesday for his arrest on a charge of criminal homicide, and served it on Paige, who is known as "Oppy," at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday after he came to the police station for more questioning.
Police have yet to divulge a motive for the slaying.
What probe found: Riley, who is known as "Angel," was shot once in the head and died on the sidewalk in front of his home. Police said he had a loaded 9 mm handgun tucked in his waistband at the time, an indication that he knew his assailant.
Paige had been a frequent visitor to Riley's home, police said.
The witness told police he saw Paige and two others talking to Riley and then heard someone utter an obscenity and saw Paige aim his handgun at Riley.
The witness also told police that Paige had shown him a Glock .45-caliber handgun earlier in the day. Police said the gun hasn't been recovered.
The witness told police he saw Paige run from the scene of the shooting and give the gun to another person.
Paige was arraigned on the homicide charge and is in Mercer County Jail without bond. A preliminary hearing has been set for 9 a.m. Wednesday before District Justice Henry Russo.