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DA seeks 1st-degree murder

Ex-SRU football star shot, killed

PITTSBURGH — The man accused of firing the shot that killed a former football star at Slippery Rock University is expected to be tried for first-degree murder.

Zachary Sheridan, 24, of Brookline died Aug. 3 after an altercation with Isiah Smith, 22, of Pittsburgh outside the Original Hot Dog Shop, a popular late-night eatery in Pittsburgh’s Oakland section.

Smith’s attorney says the shooting was self-defense, but Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. says investigators have found no evidence to support that contention. He said Monday that Sheridan was running away when he was shot.

Defense attorney Blaine Jones says Smith had a concussion and needed eight stitches after being hit by Sheridan.

Zappala also told reporters that he plans to work with the owners of the Oakland eatery to increase security but may “go down a different path” if they don’t cooperate.

Sheridan was a middle linebacker for SRU and the team’s captain. He played until 2011.

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