Homicide charge filed in New Kensington tattoo shop shooting
The Vandergrift man who police say admitted shooting the owner of a New Kensington tattoo shop March 13 now faces a homicide charge.
Christopher Scott Patterson, 44, of 133 1⁄2 Hamilton Ave., Vandergrift, is accused of killing Kevin James Croney just after 4 p.m. last Friday, in the True Image Tattoo Studio at 298 Freeport St. in the Parnassus neighborhood.
Police said Croney, a married father of four from Allegheny Township, was shot in the face at point blank range.
According to a police report, Patterson and Croney argued inside a back room at the studio. Witnesses told police that they separated the men.
They said Patterson pulled out a handgun and fired from 3 or 4 feet away.
Upon arrival, officers found Croney lying partly inside and outside the rear door.
Patterson allegedly told police that he “accidentally shot his friend” and later said he shot the man “in self-defense.”
Patterson remained at the scene after the shooting. Police found the handgun in Patterson's waistband, the report said.
Patterson was initially held in the Westmoreland County jail in lieu of $1 million bond on attempted homicide and aggravated assault charges.
Those charges were withdrawn Thursday.
He is being held without bail pending an April 2 preliminary hearing for the homicide charge only.
Patterson was arraigned in New Kensington by District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.
Chuck Biedka is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-226-4711 or cbiedka@tribweb.com.
