Allegheny County and Duquesne police searched Friday night for a Duquesne man accused of killing a neighbor who was under investigation by federal officials. Thomas George Watson, 32, is charged with criminal homicide in the death of Eugene ‘Geno’ Comer, 44. Workers at the Union Railroad yards in Duquesne found Comer bleeding from his neck about 5:25 a.m. Thursday morning. Comer died at the scene moments later. The Allegheny County Coroner’s office said his throat was slit. County police yesterday said investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were searching for Comer when his body was found. Comer had allegedly sold two illegal guns to undercover ATF agents, county police superintendent Ken Fulton said. ATF officials could not be reached last night for comment. The ongoing gun investigation led police to suspect Watson killed Comer on a wooded hilltop near the rail yards, Fulton said. ‘The motive for this murder likely revolves around guns, money and drugs,’ Fulton said. ‘The victim and accused know each other and lived two doors away from each other.’ Fulton said Comer’s pending arrest may have played a role in his death, but did not elaborate. County detectives and Duquesne police went to Watson’s Seventh Street home yesterday morning but did not find the suspect. They did, however, find 16 high-powered rifles and a dozen knives, ranging in length from 4 inches to more than 2 feet. The arsenal also included a martial arts-style steel sickle with a detachable chain, which police said could be swung at someone. ‘I think if we found this on someone I’d have to arrest them,’ Fulton said. Police declined to comment on whether the murder weapon was found in Watson’s home. Duquesne police Lt. Scott Adams said Watson enjoyed hunting and was often seen butchering deer in his back yard. Police were checking ownership records on the weapons, which will be tested by the county Coroner’s crime lab, Fulton said. Police said Watson has previously been arrested for theft, receiving stolen property, aggravated assault and drug possession. In 1995, a county jury convicted him of simple assault in West Mifflin, court records state. Investigators believe Watson fled the area in a champagne-colored 1998 4-door Saturn wagon, with Pennsylvania license plate ECB-9406. ‘We consider him armed and dangerous based on the number of guns we found in his house,’ Fulton said. Watson is white, 6 feet tall, 180 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call county police at (412) 473-3000. David Conti can be reached at dconti@tribweb.com or (412) 441-0976.

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