New details released in Bierer Wood Acres shooting
The man charged with killing a 37-year-old woman outside Bierer Wood Acres in South Union Township allegedly told his cousin to hide the gun, state police said.
Antonio Trevelle Lanko, 31, of 67 Evans Street in Uniontown allegedly shot Tasha May Walton in the back of her right shoulder at about 1 p.m. Friday. The mother of two was pronounced dead at 86 MacArthur Terrace, where Lanko and two others carried her after the shooting, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in his case.
A witness who lives nearby told police he was watching TV in his bedroom when he heard a gunshot. He looked out the window and saw Walton slumped over the driver鈥檚 seat repeating 鈥淥h my God.鈥� The witness said he heard Lanko saying, 鈥淕et up. You鈥檙e alright.鈥� Later, Lanko allegedly slapped her in the face saying 鈥淕et up.鈥� The witness told police he knew Lanko, court paperwork said.
Lanko, a woman and Robert A. Harris II carried Walton to the kitchen floor of the nearby apartment where state police found her. They attempted to resuscitate her, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
A friend of Walton, who asked not to be identified, said Walton and Lanko were in a relationship and having problems.
State police interviewed Harris, who told police Lanko asked him to hide the gun before they helped carry Walton. He told police he hid it in a boot inside a Christmas box in the storage shed behind the apartment. Police found the 9-mm Smith and Wesson pistol after executing a search warrant on the property, court documents indicate.
The gun had been reported stolen, police said. Lanko was not permitted to possess a firearm because of a previous conviction.
He is charged with criminal homicide, receiving stolen property, prohibited possession of a firearm, firearm not to be carried without a license and tampering with evidence.
Lanko is held without bond in Fayette County Prison.
Harris has not been charged.
A GoFundMe for Walton鈥檚 family raised $2,000 of a $7,000 goal in its first day Sunday. The campaign described her death as a result of domestic violence.
鈥淭asha was a beautiful, loving individual with an infectious smile. She loved everyone and everyone loved her!鈥� the page said. She had two children, ages 16 and 19, according to the fundraising page. 鈥淪he dedicated her life to being their number one fan.鈥�
Donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/in-memory-of-tasha-lynn-walton.