Flip phone leads to arrest in Monessen shootout
A flip phone dropped during a shootout between two men involving an AK-47 outside a Monessen Elks lodge led police to identifying a suspect.
Monessen police issued arrest warrants Wednesday for Delaney Dionte Huggins, 29, of 528 10th St. and James Steven Womack, 25, of 531 Summit Ave. The Monessen men are charged with criminal attempt to commit homicide and related charges. Both men were injured in the shootout.
Police allege that Huggins approached Womack outside the OKAY Lodge, also known as Black Elks, just before 2 a.m. Sunday. He appeared to be targeting Womack specifically in surveillance footage and shot multiple rounds at him from an AK-47, according to court documents.
“Almost instinctively” Womack retrieved a pistol and returned fire, taking cover behind a bartender’s vehicle, according to paperwork filed in the case. Police said the car was “riddled with bullet holes” and two windows were shattered.
Police said the behavior they observed was “consistent with a pre-planned rendezvous or shootout between feuding individuals.”
Huggins was interviewed at Monongahela Valley Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition with a bullet wound to his lower pelvic region, according to court documents.
He claimed he heard females arguing at the lodge and feared his cousin might be involved. He told police he was shot when he became caught up in crossfire from people he did not know, according to court documents.
Police interviewed Womack, who was bleeding from an injury apparently caused by either a bullet grazing him or glass cutting him, they said. He claimed two people were “after him” and refused to give information, according to court documents.
A flip phone was found near a large number of shell casings that appeared to come from an AK-47, police said. The phone was determined to belong to Huggins. Police said he had conversations on the phone about obtaining a firearm. They said he made a phone call seven or eight minutes before the shooting. A text from a person came about an hour and a half after the shooting, voicing concern for Huggins, according to court documents.
Police said neither man is permitted to carry a firearm because of previous criminal history.
Huggins is charged with criminal attempt to commit homicide, prohibited possession of a firearm, aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime with intent, terroristic threats, simple assault and two counts of recklessly endangering another person.
Womack is charged with criminal attempt to commit homicide, criminal attempt to commit prohibited possession of a firearm, aggravated assault, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession of an instrument of crime with intent, terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.
Charges were filed Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Joseph A. Dalfonso.
Charleroi police assisted in the investigation.