An 18-year-old Pittsburgh man has been arrested in connection with the killing Sunday of a New Kensington man, the seventh suspect to be charged in the case, authorities said Thursday.

Raquan Carpenter was arrested Thursday in connection with the death of Jason D. Raiford, 39, of New Kensington, who was shot at the Valley Royal Court Apartments on Fifth Avenue around 2 p.m. July 3, New Kensington police said. Raiford was found dead as a result of gunshot wounds to the head and torso.

Carpenter was charged with criminal homicide, second-degree murder, two counts of robbery, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and illegal possession of a firearm, according to court documents filed by New Kensington police.

Carpenter was arraigned before New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. and placed in the Westmoreland County jail without bond, pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 14.

Carpenter was known to law enforcement, but had not been immediately identified until early Thursday, Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said in a statement.

He was apprehended by New Kensington police and Westmoreland County detectives, Ziccarelli stated. The statement, however, did not reveal where Carpenter was captured.

3 suspects remain at large

While Carpenter has been arrested, police still are seeking three other suspects who are accused in the homicide: Elijah Rashard Gary, 18, of New Kensington; Avian Molter, 15, of Pittsburgh; and Da’Montae Brooks, 15, of New Kensington.

Police previously arrested three juveniles in connection with Raiford’s death: Amir Kennedy, 14, of New Kensington; Braedon Matthew Dickinson, 14, of Herminie; and Jonathan Eugene Felder, 17, of Arnold.

Police identified Kennedy as the one who shot Raiford with a rifle, based on surveillance video.

All seven of the suspects accused in Raiford’s death are facing charges that include criminal homicide, second-degree murder, robbery, aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy.

The four in custody — Kennedy, Dickinson, Felder and Carpenter — are scheduled for preliminary hearings Thursday before Pallone.

Police said in the complaint filed in the case that five of the suspects — Kennedy, Felder, Brooks, Gary and Molter — were seen walking south on Fifth Avenue from Arnold. Dickinson allegedly was seen sitting in a doorway with a gun next to him, and later placing it in his waistband. Molter was seen a few minutes later entering the address with a long rifle partially concealed under his hoodie. According to the complaint, Molter gave the rifle to Kennedy.

An unknown man was seen giving a handgun to Gary, who places it down his pants.

Raiford was seen entering a foyer area, followed by Brooks, Dickinson, Molter and Kennedy. Raiford walked to the base of a stairwell at the back of the foyer, where Gary was waiting.

Brooks was seen with a handgun in his hand, and Kennedy was seen retrieving the long rifle hidden in his pants, according to the complaint.

A fight started between Raiford and five of the suspects.

Gary tried to hit Raiford with a gun, but it fell to the ground. When Raiford picked up the gun, the five males continued to assault him in the foyer, according to the complaint.

Kennedy was seen running outside with the long rifle, with Dickinson following. Raiford broke free and moved to the doorway, holding the gun at his side and pointed at the ground.

Kennedy was then seen shooting multiple rounds at Raiford with the long rifle, advancing on Raiford after he was on the ground.

Police recovered the long rifle, which they said Kennedy hid behind bushes as the teens fled. Raiford had just $8 when he was assaulted.

A motive for the fight and the shooting have not been revealed by police.

Anyone with information on the location of Gary, Molter and Brooks is asked to call 911 or the New Kensington police at 724-339-7534.

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