Nov 18, 2015 3 min read

A California man was arrested Tuesday night by borough police on charges including attempted homicide after he allegedly shot a Pittsburgh woman in the face and arm with a .22-caliber rifle as she sat in a car outside his Highland Avenue home.

David McClain Mounts, 20, of 80 Highland Drive, was taken into custody after a three-hour manhunt following the 5:30 p.m. shooting of 36-year-old Tekeiila Stephens. She was taken to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment. Aaron Davis of Monessen, who was driving the car, was grazed by the gunfire. The projectiles put a hole in Davis’ hooded shirt. Police said at least five shots were fired.

Davis told police he was talking on the phone to Mounts’ brother, Erik Mounts, just before the shooting. He pulled up to Mounts’ home and parked in a pull-off lot adjacent to the house. He said the shots then started ringing out.

At first, Davis thought it was Erik Mounts with the gun. Davis grabbed the rifle and tried to pull out of his assailant’s hands, but the shooter ran back inside the house. Davis drove to the California fire station and called for help.

A juvenile told police David Mounts had bloody hands and was bragging he was going to jail. Police could not find the 20-year-old or the gun. David Mounts was found just before 8:30 p.m. on Edward Street, about a half-mile from the shooting. His hands were still bleeding.

David Mounts was taken to the police station, where he reportedly admitted to firing the shots. He also said he pushed in the glass of the car window as he struggled with Davis over the weapon, cutting his hands. He told police Davis made threats against him and his family in the past.

Erik Mounts also was taken into custody, but was released after it was determined his brother fired the rifle. Police Chief Rick Encapera said the two brothers look similar.

Encapera said the investigation is continuing, and a motive for the shooting has not been determined.

“She was there for unknown reasons,” Encapera said. “We will be looking into different angles as part of the investigation. We are not ruling anything out.”

California University of Pennsylvania issued an alert about the shooting because Mounts’ home is near Vulcan Village, a student apartment complex. No Cal U. students were involved in the incident.

Mounts was arraigned Wednesday morning before District Judge Larry Hopkins on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. He is in Washington County jail on $500,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 2 before District Judge Joshua Kanalis.