Man charged in North Belle Vernon shooting botched by thrown soda can takes plea deal

An attempted homicide charge was dismissed against a Rostraver man accused of firing a shot in the parking lot of a North Belle Vernon gas station.

Amire Rodrick Ganoung, 20, pleaded guilty Friday to felony counts of aggravated assault and possessing a firearm without a license and a misdemeanor charge of simple assault in connection with the March 1, 2023, incident. Police said no one was injured as a result of Ganoung’s actions. A charge of reckless endangerment also was dismissed as part of the plea deal with Westmoreland County prosecutors.

Ganoung and a juvenile confronted a person inside an adjacent convenience store, where they engaged in name calling before the altercation moved outside, police said. Ganoung pulled out a gun, pointed the weapon and as he fired one time, his shoulder was struck by a soda can thrown by the other individual, causing the round to miss its target.

Police said both Ganoung and a 17-year-old juvenile who was charged as an adult with conspiracy, fled the scene and were later apprehended.

Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani sentenced Ganoung, who has been in custody since his arrest, to serve four to eight years in prison.

The juvenile remains free on bail and his case is pending, according to court records.