SUMMIT TWP — An Allegheny County man was shot early Tuesday morning during a suspected robbery at a home on Rimp Road, authorities said.

Just an hour or two earlier, occupants at a home on Butler’s West End also were robbed.

Investigators believe the crimes, both apparently drug-related, are linked. State police, however, are keeping tight-lipped about their investigation.

“We believe there’s a likely connection,” said police Cpl. Robert Donaldson. He declined further comment, refusing to say if police have any suspects.

Shaquill O’Neal Bell, 22, of East McKeesport was shot about 5:20 a.m. at 135 Rimp Road. He was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital, where he was listed in fair condition this morning.

Police aren’t saying why Bell was at the singlewide mobile home but that house, since mid-May, had caught the attention of authorities, said Tim Fennell, who heads the Butler County Drug Task Force.

“We suspect drugs were being held there or sold there,” said Fennell, a county detective.

Neighbors, who reported hearing at least two gunshots, said they suspected drug activity at the home. They did not know Bell, who apparently was shot in the back.

Investigators suspect Bell was shot at the home where they found blood on the front porch and bullet holes next to the door that had been kicked in. Troopers also found heroin and crack cocaine nearby, according to court records.

Neighbors said Bell, despite being shot, was able to get to a nearby home for help. The homeowner found the victim on his back porch and called 911.

Moments later, police flooded the rural Rimp Road neighborhood.

State police, meanwhile, are also investigating the apparent connection between what happened in Summit Township and a robbery at a home on American Avenue in Butler.

Donaldson declined to disclose any information about that investigation.