Fatal shooting witness held on assault
A witness who is believed to have been the target in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old Washington woman three months ago was ordered held for court Tuesday for allegedly shooting a woman in the foot at a South Strabane Township motel last month.
The prosecution withdrew a charge of aggravated assault against 25-year-old Edwin “Cheeno” Rivera prior to the start of a preliminary hearing before District Judge Jay Weller. He was ordered held for court by Weller on three counts of reckless endangerment and one count each of simple assault, discharging a firearm in an occupied structure and receiving stolen property.
Rivera is accused of shooting 19-year-old Shayla Chandler in the foot while the two of them along with several others were in a room at Motel 6 off North Avenue on July 12. A witness told police that Rivera pulled out a revolver and asked, “Who wants to play Russian roulette?” A shot went off, hitting Chandler.
Rivera fled but he was found a short time later. He told police that a rap song he had been listening to made him think about Russian roulette. He reportedly picked up the revolver, put the muzzle against his head and yelled “bang” twice. Rivera explained to police that the gun went off when he was putting it down.
Police determined the gun had been reported stolen in Washington in July 2015.
Both Rivera and his defense attorney, Renee Colbert, tried to convince Weller to reduce his $20,000 bond so he could be released from Washington County jail. He told Weller he had a job at a fast-food restaurant on Racetrack Road and lived with his sister-in-law at a North Strabane Township trailer park. Assistant District Attorney Rachel Wheeler argued against a reduction in bond, citing the serious nature of the charges and told Weller that Rivera is originally from New York. The criminal complaint filed against him indicates he is homeless.
“I have reservations about your job or address,” Weller told him. “You have more reasons to flee than stay.”
Rivera was part of a group walking with Alexis Barnett on May 4 when she was shot and killed in the 1100 block of Bruce Street in Washington. He testified at a July 1 hearing against Tavian Hooper and Jamaal Greene, both of whom face homicide charges. Washington police said in court documents Rivera was the intended target in the shooting.