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August 31, 2010

Weekend shooting ruled a homicide

Lisa Micco New Castle News

NEW CASTLE — A weekend shooting that killed a Volant man has been ruled a homicide.

Dr. James Smith, a forensic pathologist working with the Beaver County coroner’s office, recovered a BB from the lung of Frank Breitenstein, 45, during Sunday afternoon’s autopsy.

New Castle police Chief Thomas Sansone said this morning that Smith ruled the cause of death as “bleeding due to a gunshot wound to the left chest.”

Sansone confirmed that the weapon was a BB gun.

“It’s a one in a million longshot that someone gets killed by a BB gun,” he said. “But it goes to show that they aren’t toys. This is the extreme, but it shows what could happen.

“There’s a reason why, by ordinance, that BB guns are prohibited to be in the city.”

Breitenstein sustained the injury to his chest after being shot at 7:48 p.m. Saturday near 314 Bell Ave.

According to police, Breitenstein was confronted by a young male who was shooting at houses and windows in the West Side neighborhood. During the encounter, Breitenstein was shot, and he left the scene before officers arrived. A friend took him to Jameson Hospital, where he died soon afterward, according to police.

“We do have a name or two suspect-wise,” Sansone said.

Police are continuing to investigate and anyone with information should call (724) 656-3587.

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