Latest developments in arrest of Rahmael Holt, suspect in New Kensington cop killing

Tribune-Review
Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017 9:18 a.m. | Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017 9:18 a.m.

Allegheny County Police Facebook page

New Kensington Patrolman Brian Shaw

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

New Kensington police Chief Jim Klein watches as the door is closed on the New Kensington police car transporting Rahmael Sal Holt to the Westmoreland County jail after his arraignment in New Kensington on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

State Trooper Steve Lamani organizes law enforcement agents outside of District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.’s office on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017 during the arraignment of accused killer Rahmael Sal Holt.

Police have identified Rahmael Sal Holt as the suspect in the shooting death of New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

State Trooper Steve Limani speaks to reporters outside the New Kensington police station after announcing the arrest of accused cop killer Rahmeal Sal Holt in Pittsburgh early Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. arrives at his office Tuesday morning to prepare for the criminal arraignment of accused cop killer Rahmeal Sal Holt. Nov. 21, 2017

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

Police cars from departments around the region pack the parking lot of the New Kensington Police Department after word broke early Tuesday morning that a SWAT team arrested Rahmael Sal Holt, accused of killing New Kensington Officer Brian Shaw on Friday night.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

Police officers leave the New Kensington Police station Tuesday morning after learning that accused cop killer Rahmael Sal Holt had been arrested without incident in Pittsburgh.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

A Harrison police car leaves the New Kensington station Tuesday morning after the announcement that police arrested Rahmael Sal Holt in Pittsburgh earlier in the morning.

Rahmael Holt

Police have identified Rahmael Sal Holt as the suspect in the shooting death of New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw.

Tavon Jamere Harper

Police identified Rahmael Sal Holt as the suspect in the shooting death of New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

Accused cop killer Rahmael Sal Holt steps out of a New Kensington police car for his arraignment at District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.'s office on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.

Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael P. Stewart III

Canonsburg Police Department

Canonsburg Police Department posted this photo to Facebook on Tuesday of Officer Scott Bashioum. Bashioum was participating in a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day event in October at the Canonsburg Shop 'n Save.

submitted

St. Clair police Officer Lloyd Reed Jr., 54, was fatally shot Nov. 29, 2015, while responding to a reported domestic dispute at a home on Ligonier Street in New Florence.

Evan Sanders | Trib Total Media

Ligonier Township police Lt. Eric Eslary and Blek, his K-9 partneron Monday, Feb. 24, 2015.

Lower Burrell Patrolman Derek Kotecki, the city's K-9 officer, was killed in the line of duty in 2011.

Penn Hills Progress

Penn Hills police Officer Michael Crawshaw was killed while responding to a call in 2009. SUBMITTED PHOTO

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pittsburgh police Officer Paul J. Sciullo II

Trib Total Media

Pittsburgh police Officer Eric G. Kelly

Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Joseph Pokorny

Perryopolis Police Officer Richard A. Champion

James Naim

Tribune-Review

Trooper Joseph J. Sepp, a 10-year veteran of the State Police stationed in Ebensburg. Sepp was gunned down by suspect, Mark Leach, 45, of Cambria County, over the weekend during a multi-police department chase across Ebensburg. Spangler

Trib Total Media

Pittsburgh police Officer Stephen J. Mayhle

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

Rahmael Sal Holt is escorted into district court in New Kensington Tuesday morning by Westmoreland County Det. Ray Dupilka (left) and New Kensington police Chief Jim Klein to face charges of murdering New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

New Kensington police Chief Jim Klein (right) and Westmoreland County Det. Ray Dupilka escort Rahmael Sal Holt into district court in New Kensington for arraignment on charges of murdering police Officer Brian Shaw Friday night.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

New Kensington police Chief Jim Klein (left) and Westmoreland County Detective Ray Dupilka take Rahmael Sal Holt from his arraignment on murder charges in New Kensington on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

New Kensington police Chief Jim Klein (white shirt) gets a hug from Lower Burrell Detective Sgt. Zach Beam after the arraignment of accused cop killer Rahmael Sal Holt in New Kensington on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

Bystanders use cell phones to photograph accused killer Rahmael Sal Holt as he leaves District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.’s office in New Kensington on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

A caravan of police cars leave the New Kensington district judge office Tuesday morning to take accused cop killer Rahmael Sal Holt to the Westmoreland County Jail, where he will be kept without bond to await trial on charges of murdering New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

Heavily armed officers surround District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.'s office during the arraignment of accused killer Rahmael Sal Holt on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

Accused killer Rahmael Sal Holt is lead into District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.’s office for his arraignment on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

State Trooper Steve Limani speaks to reporters outside the New Kensington police station after announcing the arrest of accused cop killer Rahmeal Sal Holt in Pittsburgh early Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. arrives at his office Tuesday morning to prepare for the criminal arraignment of accused cop killer Rahmeal Sal Holt. Nov. 21, 2017

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

Police officers leave the New Kensington Police station Tuesday morning after learning that accused cop killer Rahmael Sal Holt had been arrested without incident in Pittsburgh.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

Rahmael Sal Holt readies himself to face the public as he leaves District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.’s office in New Kensington on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, escorted by New Kensington police Chief Jim Klein, and Westmoreland County Det. Ray Dupilka.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

New Kensington police Chief Jim Klein (left) and Westmoreland County Detective Ray Dupilka take Rahmael Sal Holt from his arraignment on murder charges in New Kensington on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

Sheriff's deputies wait outside of District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.'s office on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017 while accused killer Rahmael Sal Holt is arraigned.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

Accused cop killer Rahmael Sal Holt steps out of a New Kensington police car for his arraignment at District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.'s office on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

New Kensington police Chief Jim Klein (left) and Westmoreland County Detective Ray Dupilka take Rahmael Sal Holt from his arraignment on murder charges in New Kensington on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

Sheriff's deputies wait outside of District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.'s office on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017 while accused killer Rahmael Sal Holt is arraigned.

After a days-long manhunt, police on Tuesday arrested Rahmael Sal Holt on charges of killing New Kensington Police Officer Brian Shaw during a traffic stop Friday.

Holt, 29, was arrested in the Hazelwood section of Pittsburgh early Tuesday morning along with several members of his family accused of hindering his apprehension.

.lemonwhale-embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width:100%; }.lemonwhale-embed-container iframe { position: absolute; top: 0; left:0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

Press conference after Rahmael Holt, suspected killer of New Kensington officer Brian Shaw, was arraigned earlier in the morning.

Posted by TribLive on Tuesday, November 21, 2017

10 a.m.

Police were scheduled to give a press briefing around 10 a.m. in the New Kensington council chambers.

Awaiting the start of a news conference for details of the arrest of suspected New Ken cop killer Rahmael Holt, 29, and other suspects. I’ll be tweeting and updating here: https://t.co/j6yRqIRAz4 pic.twitter.com/hG2ltALYYP

" Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) November 21, 2017

9:39 a.m.

Sources confirmed that the handcuffs Holt wore as he was arrested and arraigned belonged to Officer Shaw.

9:35 a.m.

Westmoreland County Detective Ray Dupilka said the help from multiple agencies was integral to the investigation and apprehension. He expects "at least" eight additional people to be arrested in connection with Holt's days on the run.

"We were able to draw on the resources of the FBI, the ATF, the U.S. Marshal's Service, state police and local law enforcement in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties," Dupilka said. "Everyone working together towards a successful apprehension."

Within 24 hours of the shooting, Holt was bouncing from house to house in an effort to hide from investigators, he said.

9:24 a.m.

After his arraignment, Holt was transferred to the Westmoreland County Prison. Police will hold a press briefing at New Kensington City Hall later Tuesday morning.

New Ken Police Chief Jim Klein let out a long breath as he walked away from the police car that will escort Rahmael Holt to jail for allegedly fatally shooting officer. pic.twitter.com/gExWF4PPPC

" Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) November 21, 2017

9:12 a.m.

Holt arrived in New Kensington at about 9 a.m. for his arraignment before District Judge Frank Pallone, and was held without bail.

Westmoreland Detective Ray Dupilka and New Ken police Chief Jim Klein spoke briefly before they led suspect Rahmael Holt to his arraignment on homicide charges. pic.twitter.com/6UVwSDdKAU

" Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) November 21, 2017

No bail. Holt said he would hire a private attorney. Heavy security, about a dozen police officers in court and even more outside.

" Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) November 21, 2017

8:54 a.m.

Awaiting the arrival of suspect Rahmael Holt for his arraignment in New Ken officer Brian Shaw’s fatal shooting. Seems like it’s going to be happening shortly. pic.twitter.com/HuihKeQS47

" Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) November 21, 2017

8:25 a.m.

Friends and family were accused of helping Holt in the three days he was on the run; his mother was among nearly a dozen people police arrested on Ladora Way.

Hearing up to 11 people arrested in regard to the search for Rahmael Holt -- either hindering apprehension or outstanding warrants, probation violations, etc. Right now, however, only complaints available are for Mason, Sherry Holt and Benson. ^^^

" Megan Guza (@meganguzaTrib) November 21, 2017

Police were working hard to find and arrest Holt before Shaw's funeral service Wednesday. Visitation Monday drew hundreds of mourners and was scheduled to continue Tuesday evening — now with a great weight of uncertainty lifted.