Teen suspect arrested in death of Jeannette 16-year-old
Westmoreland County detectives have charged a Jeannette teenager in the murder of 16-year-old Ryan Mangan.
Maxwell Morton, 16, was arraigned before Jeannette District Judge Joseph DeMarchis on charges of homicide, first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a minor Friday night and was denied bail.
Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck said he could not release any more details about the arrest or the suspect Friday night.
Mangan, a junior in the Jeannette City School District, was shot Wednesday in his home on Rankin Avenue.
The death has been treated as a homicide, although an autopsy conducted Thursday disclosed only that the youth died of a gunshot and that he was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:08 p.m.
The location of the wound, caliber of weapon and cause and manner of death “are being withheld at the request of the district attorney's office,” said Deputy Coroner Sean Hribal.
Peck said details related to Mangan's death are being withheld to safeguard the investigation.
Morton is being held in the Westmoreland County jail. A preliminary hearing before DeMarchis has been scheduled for Feb. 19.
High school principal Patricia Rozycki described Mangan as a popular student. About 50 people attended a vigil to remember him Thursday afternoon. Several wore freshly printed black and red T-shirts imprinted with Mangan's photo, his birth and death dates, and the phrase, “Only the good die young.”
An online donation site set up by acquaintances of Mangan's family to help pay for funeral expenses at www.gofundme.com/lkw4sg took in more than $2,600 in donations after one day.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be handled by Graziano Funeral Home at 228 N. Second St. in Jeannette.
Peck said anyone who believes they have information to assist in the investigation should call the county detectives' office at 724-830-3287.
Jacob Tierney is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at jtierney@tribweb.com or 724-836-6646
