Pittsburgh man pleads guilty for role in North Side fatal shooting

Joshua Johnson told police he thought he would only be robbing Deron McCray when Johnson and two others knocked on the door of a Northview Heights home last November. On Monday, Johnson pleaded guilty to his role in McCray's death that night.

Johnson, 20, of Pittsburgh's Northview Heights neighborhood pleaded guilty to charges of third-degree homicide, robbery and conspiracy before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Philip Ignelzi, according to a statement from the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office.

Johnson said he and two others were hanging out Nov. 16, 2015, on Mt. Pleasant Road in the North Side when one of the men suggested they rob a home on Chicago Street, according to the criminal complaint.

One of the men knocked on the door, and they heard McCray load a gun, according to the complaint. Johnson told police McCray opened the door with a gun in his waistband, and one of the suspects fired a rifle at McCray, striking him once.

Johnson said all three took off in different directions, according to the complaint. McCray was pronounced dead at the scene of a gunshot wound to the chest.

Police identified Johnson using surveillance footage from the area.

Johnson pleaded guilty in exchange for 12½ to 30 years in prison, according to the DA's office.

Megan Guza is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at mguza@tribweb.com.