Local

New Castle man arrested, accused of shooting victim after trying to steal necklace

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — After a 24-hour search, New Castle police found and arrested the man they said shot someone in the stomach after trying to steal their necklace in the middle of the day.

Lierre Armstrong, 33, of New Castle, was arrested Wednesday afternoon.

Chief Robert Salem said Armstrong went to a home on Spruce Street Tuesday just before noon to see someone he knew. The victim let Armstrong inside.

While they were talking in a bedroom, the chief said Armstrong tried to take the victim’s necklace off his neck, then shot him and ran off. A woman in the home then called 911 for help.

“When my officers arrived, they found the victim lying on the bedroom floor with a gunshot wound to his stomach,” said Salem.

The chief said the 30-year-old victim told police Armstrong was the shooter and officers began searching for him. They found the car he was using several blocks away.

“We haven’t had a lot of shooting this year so to have late morning, early afternoon it’s frustrating,” said Salem. “Senseless over a necklace.”

Right now, Armstrong faces attempted homicide, aggravated assault and robbery.

“And he’s a felon from a previous charge, so he’s not supposed to possess a firearm, so he’s charged with that also,” said Salem.

The victim was taken to the hospital, where he had surgery. Channel 11 is working to get an update on his condition.

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