Woman charged in Homewood shooting

Pittsburgh police used cellphone records to build a case against a Homewood woman in connection with the shooting death of a 35-year-old man.

Police on Thursday charged Lavasha Johnson, 26, in connection with the death of Richard Williams, who was fatally shot May 22 inside his car on Kelly Street in Homewood.

According to a criminal complaint, Johnson and Williams exchanged dozens of text messages before the shooting.

Williams asked Johnson for help in buying marijuana, according to the complaint. Phone records indicate Johnson set up a deal and got into Williams' car.

Minutes later, surveillance video showed Williams being shot by a person who was sitting in the back seat of his car, according to the complaint. The shooter then fled the scene.

Johnson is charged with homicide and tampering with evidence, court records show.

Paul Peirce is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-850-2860, ppeirce@tribweb.com or via Twitter @ppeirce_trib.