Police: Harrison man charged in fatal beating of New Kensington man

A Harrison man on Thursday was charged with homicide in connection with the beating death of a New Kensington man last month.

Harrison police said Lamont Wilford, 48, got into a fight with Eric D. Henderson, 50, and continued to assault him after Henderson had fallen to the ground.

Police said they were called to a home on Spruce Street shortly after 4:45 p.m. Nov. 23 for a man down on a sidewalk.

When officers arrived, they found several witnesses standing around Henderson, who was lying on his back on a sidewalk, according to the criminal complaint filed in the case. One person was performing CPR on Henderson, police said.

Henderson was taken to Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison by paramedics. He was pronounced dead roughly 45 minutes later. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of his death was blunt force trauma to the head.

A witness who had been in the area told police that he saw Wilford and Henderson arguing when they came out of a house. He said the two seemed to make up and went back inside.

A short time later, they came back outside arguing again, the witness said.

During the argument, Wilford punched Henderson, and Henderson “fell to the ground lifeless,” the witness told police, according to the complaint. The witness said Wilford continued to punch Henderson as Henderson lay on the ground, and jumped up and down and kneed Henderson multiple times, police said.

Following the assault, Wilford went back into the house, the witness said.

The witness called 911 to report the incident to police.

Another witness told police that Wilford admitted he knocked Henderson out.

In a Nov. 27 interview with police, Wilford admitted that he argued with Henderson when Henderson was at his house, the complaint said. Wilford told police that he forced Henderson out of his house and that he may have pushed him, but he denied punching or kicking him, police said.

Victim known for wit, humor

Henderson was a Valley High School graduate who lived most of his life in New Kensington, according to his obituary.

A devoted Steelers fan, he worked a variety of jobs, ranging from industry jobs to health care and restaurant positions. He also had experience in doctors’ offices and worked as a phlebotomist at different hospitals, the obituary said.

Henderson’s family couldn’t be reached for comment.

But his obituary read,in part, “Eric was adored for his quick wit and animated sense of humor. “His gift for making people laugh meant that he brightened every room he walked into; his humor was effortless and always keyed to the gatherings of which he was a part.

“And while his wit was sharp and his style animated, he drew people to him because he lightened everyone’s load.”

Wilford remained in Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh on Thursday afternoon, where he has been since Nov. 27 when he was arrested on a previously issued warrant, police said. He did not have an attorney listed.