DNA from dreadlocks at 2015 Pittsburgh murder scene leads to Va. man's arrest

A Virginia man whose two dreadlocks containing body tissue were found at a 2015 murder scene in Pittsburgh was arrested this week after DNA tests matched him with the hair samples, Pittsburgh police said.

The suspect, Aaron Cross, who is incarcerated in Riverside Regional Jail in North Prince George County, Va., is accused of murdering Shakiem Williams of New York City, during a robbery in Crafton Heights, on July 30, 2015.

Williams was found lying face down in on the street in a Crafton Heights parking lot after being shot multiple times in his midsection during a struggle with one of two robbers, according to the criminal complaint police filed against Cross.

A van that Williams had been driving had blood splattered in it and nine bullet casings were found next to the van, police said.

A witness with Williams said the victim got out of the van and started to fight one of the suspects. The witness said he was able to escape during the shooting and provided police with a description of the assailants, according to the complaint.

Police said Williams’ cell phone had calls from a Taris Cross, who is Aaron Cross’ sister, shortly before the murder. Calls also were made to and from Taris Cross’ cell phone to one owned by Lawrence Bacon of Petersburg, Va. Video surveilliance footage of the area near the shooting Bacon with another man before the homicide, police said.

Armed with a Virginia court order, police said they obtained a DNA sample from Aaron Cross during a jailhouse visit April 18.

Cross is charged with criminal homicide, conspiracy, robbery and firearms violations. There was no indication when Cross might be extradited to Pittsburgh.

One of the alleged assailants, Bacon, has died, police said.

Additional details about the case were not immediately available.