Teen arrested, charged with shooting man in city
A teenager admitted to Butler police that he shot a 20-year-old man at a West Brady Street apartment early Monday morning, authorities said.
However, 19-year-old Jase William Charlton left unanswered many questions in making his alleged confession, primarily why he shot Brandon Fairtrace, according to court documents.
Police on Tuesday arrested Charlton, who has no known address. He was to be arraigned this morning on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, all felonies.
He is in the Butler County Prison.
But despite the arrest, police Capt. David Dalcamo stressed that the investigation is not completed.
“The investigation is continuing into whether there were others involved and/or assisted in the crime,” Dalcamo said this morning.
Charlton is accused of firing a shotgun round into Fairtrace’s head and face. Police believe he shot through the bedroom window of Fairtrace’s first-floor apartment.
Critically injured, Fairtrace was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital. He was last listed Tuesday in stable condition, police said.
While police have not identified a motive in the shooting, the investigation revealed that Charlton and Fairtrace are in rival groups of friends who in recent weeks had been arguing and fighting.
