Jul 11, 2018 3 min read

The attorney for an Allegheny County teenager accused of shooting two young men during a botched drug deal and robbery attempt in Canonsburg’s East End in April said he plans to have the 17-year-old’s case reassigned to juvenile court.

Alonzo Henry Griffin Jr. of North Versailles waived charges of aggravated assault, attempted robbery, attempted homicide, carrying a firearm without a license, person under the age of 18 not to possess a weapon, simple assault and reckless endangerment during a preliminary hearing Tuesday before District Judge David Mark. Griffin was charged as an adult in the case.

“It was in my client’s best interest to waive the charges to court,” said William H. Difenderfer, Griffin’s defense attorney. “We will try and get him decertified.”

Canonsburg police were called April 19 to the 300 block of Euclid Avenue for a report of shots fired and two people with gunshot wounds. Jacob Kolick, 19, was found with a gunshot wound in the back while Emil Bajgoric had a gunshot wound to the leg. The two were in a car in the parking lot of a convenience store, along with 19-year-old Terris Ross and 18-year-old Maxwell Riley.

One of the four told police he had marijuana and was planning to meet someone in Canonsburg to sell it. The vehicle pulled into an alley near the Franklin Avenue playground when Griffin reportedly approached.

After being told the marijuana was available, Griffin allegedly pulled a semi-automatic handgun from his pocket. He reportedly ejected the magazine, put it back in the gun and racked the slide. The four occupants of the car froze and Griffin allegedly said, “I ain’t playing.”

One of the four in the car grabbed Griffin’s hand and reportedly struggled with him in an attempt to get the gun away. Griffin was punched by two of the young men before shooting at least two rounds and fleeing on foot. The gun was found in the car. The marijuana was thrown into a nearby trash container.

Griffin was identified by one of the four men, who had gone to high school with him.

Griffin has been incarcerated on $500,000 bond since his May 8 arrest, first at Washington County jail before being transferred to Allegheny County jail. At the agreement of the defense and prosecution, Mark agreed to lower the bond to $25,000. Difenderfer said his aim is to get the teen out of jail.

Griffin is scheduled to be formally arraigned Aug. 30 on the charges.