UPDATE | Anthony Cooper, 19, charged with eight felony counts in New Castle homicides


NEW CASTLE, Pa.

City authorities are seeking a third suspect in connection to a triple homicide in the city Tuesday - a man alleged to have fled the state the day after the shootings.

An arrest warrant is being processed for Anthony Cooper, 19, who is charged with eight felony counts, including criminal homicide, conspiracy to commit criminal homicide, attempted homicide and carrying an unlicensed firearm in the shooting deaths of a 10-year-old girl as well as the girl's mother and another man.

Steven Procopio, 19, of Canterberry Road, New Wilmington, was also charged Thursday with seven homicide and firearm counts in the shooting deaths. But during interrogation, Procopio told police Cooper - also known as "Mook" - was the triggerman, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday in Lawrence County courts.

City police Chief Robert Salem said Friday Procopio's housemate Jody Hammer, 41, is also charged with a felony count of obstruction of justice, for allegedly helping Cooper leave the state the day after the shooting.

According to the complaint, Procopio said he and Hammer drove Cooper to Cleveland the day after the shooting, where Cooper boarded a bus bound for Detroit.

Officers on Wednesday arrested Hammer along with Procopio, whom they had previously questioned along with Cooper, before releasing them.

Hammer was accused Wednesday of operating a small marijuana growing operation out of the Canterberry home. She was arrested again Thursday and charged in connection to the shootings, Salem said.

Hammer currently in the Lawrence County jail on a $50,000 bond. Procopio is also in the jail without bond.

Salem said his department is working with U.S. Marshals to locate Cooper.

Read more details in Saturday's Vindicator and on Vindy.com http://Vindy.com