DNA evidence results in more charges against New Kensington man suspected in 2 shootings, 1 deadly

New Kensington police said DNA test results led them to file additional gun and drug charges against a city man accused of fatally shooting an Arnold man last January and firing shots at four people the month before that.

The new charges against Letresse Tareke Williams, 30, stem from his Feb. 4arrest at a Kenneth Avenue home by the Western Pennsylvania U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force. He has been in Westmoreland County Prison since then.

Williams, who was wanted on warrants, including for attempted homicide, was found trying to hide under a pile of clothes, police said in a criminal complaint.

Williams was accused of shooting at four people Dec. 1, 2019, in a parking lot at Valley Royal Court. A car was hit by four bullets, and a van was hit twice. Police recovered spent .45-caliber shells at the scene.

A criminal complaint filed last week against Williams said police found a Smith & Wesson .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol in the Kenneth Avenue home where Williams was arrested. Police said they determined the weapon had been reported stolen from Allegheny Township.

Police said they also found an extended magazine for a .45-caliber pistol, along with baggies of suspected cocaine and heroin near the firearm.

Police said they received the results of DNA tests on the gun, magazine and bullets, linking Williams to them.

Williams’ criminal history includes a 2009 conviction for robbery and guilty pleas in 2011 on gun and drug charges.

In December, Williams was charged with homicide and other offenses in connection with the Jan. 15, 2020, shooting death of Anthone Williams, 31. Police said Letresse Tareke Williams planned to rob Anthone Williams. The men were not believed to be related.

Michael Garofalo, a public defender listed as Williams’ attorney in the attempted homicide case, said he does not comment on pending cases and was not certain if he was still representing Williams. Garofalo referred a reporter to the Westmoreland County Public Defender’s Office, which did not respond to requests for comment.

Letresse Williams was arraigned last Thursday on the new charges, including illegal possession of a firearm, receiving stolen property and drug offenses. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 4 before District Judge Frank Pallone. His trial in the attempted homicide case is scheduled to start Feb. 22, according to court records.