Brackenridge man ID'd as victim in fatal Arnold shooting as police hunt for suspect

Police on Friday continued the search for a suspect they say shot and killed a Brackenridge man in an Arnold apartment Thursday afternoon.

The Westmoreland County Coroner’s office identified the victim as Michael Coover Jr. of Brackenridge. Officers found him dead inside an apartment at 200 17th St.

Coover, 33, died from multiple gunshots. Coroner Ken Bacha ruled his death a homicide.

Arnold police Chief Eric Doutt released a statement that investigators have determined that Mario Matthew Gatti shot Coover.

Gatti, 31, “is still on the run and considered to be armed and dangerous,” police said.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Gatti on a charge of criminal homicide.

Authorities urged Gatti to turn himself in.

Doutt said Friday there is no apparent connection between the shooting and one on Wednesday in New Kensington.

New Kensington police are searching for the person or people who fatally shot Arnold resident Anthone Williams, 31, in a vacant part of East Ken Manor. Police haven’t said if they have a suspect.

Doutt said photo of Gatti was on a state police crime computer but police aren’t allowed to share the photo with the public.

According to court records, Gatti was accused of having drugs with the intent to sell them and resisting Arnold police in August 2014.

He accepted a plea bargain that November at Westmoreland County court and was sent to the county prison for 18 days to 12 months for the drug charge. He was placed on probation for illegal drug possession and escape. Three other charges were withdrawn.

Anyone with information is asked to contact either Arnold police or Westmoreland County detectives. They can do so by calling Westmoreland 911 at 724-836-1551.

Note: This story has been updated to correctly reflect the suspect’s name.