Man arrested on homicide charge

FARRELL, Pa. — A Sharon man is in the Mercer County jail after his arrest on a criminal homicide charge in the death of another Sharon man.

Brian Burks, 18, of 839 Ravine Place, Sharon, was arrested on a warrant issued by Southwest Mercer County Regional Police.

He is charged in the Dec. 15 shooting death of Prince Butler, 21, of George Street in Sharon.

SWMC police said Burks was arrested Saturday in Avalon, Pa. He was held in the Allegheny County jail until SWMC Detective Chris Hosa picked him up Monday, Hosa said.

Burks was arraigned Monday in Farrell before District Justice Ronald E. Antos, then lodged in the jail. Because of the serious charge against him, he is ineligible for bond, Hosa said.

The shooting occurred around 1 p.m. in a house in the 500 block of Hamilton Avenue, Hosa said.

He said four or five other people were in the house at the time, including a small child.

Burks and Butler got into an argument after Butler came into the house that afternoon, Hosa said. Burks was staying there, he said.

Burks is charged in connection with pulling a handgun and shooting Butler, who died at the scene, Hosa said.

Burks fled after the shooting. Avalon police found him after an anonymous tip, Hosa said.

Burks is expected to be back before the district justice for a preliminary hearing Feb. 20. His case will be tried in the Mercer County Common Pleas court.