Third suspect charged in Menallen Township shooting

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There is a GoFundMe to help with Mr. Brick’s veterinarian bills after a shooting last week.

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Alfonso Pugh

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A third man has been charged in connection to a home break-in and shooting that injured a man and his dog last week.

Alfonso Pugh, 36, of Uniontown, was charged by state police Friday with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary and aggravated cruelty to animals.

Pugh is accused of being one of three who entered Theo Johnson’s home on East Main Street in Menallen Township on April 22 and opened fire. Johnson, 37, was shot four times and transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W. Va. His dog, Mr. Bricks, was shot twice.

“Theo is awake and talking, but still has a long road to recovery,” said Frances Johnson, his sister.

Frances Johnson started a GoFundMe Campaign to raise money for his dog’s veterinarian bills. According to the fundraiser, Bricks was shot once in the head and once in the left shoulder, but is expected to make a full recovery. Bricks is with a foster family while Johnson remains hospitalized.

Bricks, a 3-year-old bulldog, was treated at Camelot Veterinary Clinic in Uniontown.

“The staff and Dr. (William) Sheperd at Camelot loved Bricks and I’m grateful for the care they have given Bricks. He has such a great disposition and is just a love bug,” Frances Johnson said.

Previously charged in the case were Jobe Wright, 30, of Donora, and Shaimik Christopher Frezzell, 29, of Uniontown.

According to the criminal complaint, surveillance cameras in the area captured three people dressed in dark clothing entering Johnson’s property and running out just minutes later.

Pugh was initially arrested the evening of the shooting and charged with fleeing an officer, driving under the influence and several traffic violations. According to the criminal complaint, police found blood on the bottom of one of his boots. Police obtained a search warrant for Pugh’s vehicle a couple of days later and found clothing that matched what one of the men seen in the security footage was wearing.

Pugh was arraigned Monday morning before District Judge Jennifer Jeffries, who sent him to the Fayette County jail without bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. May 13.

Frances Johnson expressed thanks to the first responders who helped her brother and his dog. She hopes the GoFundMe can help her brother focus on recovering from his injuries without worrying about his dog’s $1,430 veterinary bill – the amount the online campaign is seeking.

“They are both very lucky and only by God’s grace they are here,” she said.