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Four Face Charges in Search for Suspect

By Staff Reports
The Tube City Almanac
December 26, 2020
Posted in: Crime and Police News

Four people face criminal charges in connection with the escape of a McKeesport man accused of shooting a police officer outside the Public Safety Building, Downtown.

Jasmyn Henderson-Bracey, 25, and Gesiah N. Grigsby, 21, both of McKeesport, are charged by the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office with multiple counts of hindering apprehension or prosecution.

They were arrested Wednesday and are each free on $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Jan. 4 before Magisterial District Judge Beth S. Mills.

In court documents, sheriff’s deputies allege that Henderson-Bracey and Grigsby were photographed on surveillance video entering a convenience store near Crawford Village with Koby L. Francis, 22, of McKeesport.

Francis is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, escape, flight to avoid apprehension and violating the uniform firearms act in connection with the shooting on Sunday afternoon of McKeesport police Officer Jerry Athans, 32, following Francis’ arrest for allegedly violating a protection from abuse order.

In the surveillance camera video, police allege, Francis was still handcuffed and appeared to be wearing the same black hoodie in which he was arrested on Sunday afternoon.

Also charged by Allegheny County police with hindering apprehension and prosecution are Justine D. Kenyatta, 20, of East Stroudsburg, Monroe County, and Daniel M. Neal, 19, no address given.

Police allege the two also were seen in a car with Francis, giving him a ride. Court records indicate that neither Kenyatta nor Neal have yet been arraigned.

Two rewards for information leading to Francis’ arrest have been posted, including $10,000 from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and $5,000 from Pittsburgh car dealer Richard Bazzy.

Francis is described as a Black male, 6-feet-2-inches tall with a thin build, black hair and black eyes. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie, camouflage pants and black shoes with white soles.

Police are asking anyone who sees him to call 9-1-1.

Anyone with information about Francis’ whereabouts also can contact the Allegheny County Police Tipline at 1-833-255-8477. Callers may remain anonymous.

Originally published December 26, 2020.

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