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NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) – A man delivering pizza fatally shot a 16-year-old boy during a robbery attempt, police said.

Capt. Ernest Palmer said it appeared the 54-year-old Mr. Ventry’s Pizza employee, who wasn’t identified, was justified in the shooting.

The deliveryman was tackled by two suspects in an alley around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, Palmer said. When he saw a gun, he fired one shot that struck Anthony Sheard in the head.

Palmer said a pellet gun was recovered at the scene and that the deliveryman was registered to carry his semiautomatic handgun.

“We believe the deliveryman acted in self-defense,” Palmer said. “We know he saw a gun … We found mud on his clothes, scrapes on his hands and the contents of his pockets strewn about the alleyway.”

Police arrested another suspect, 16-year-old Aldeaz Lewis, Thursday afternoon and charged him with second-degree robbery.

Sheard, a sophomore at Niagara Falls High School, was arrested two weeks ago on felony gang assault charges, accused of breaking someone’s jaw.

The deliveryman told The Buffalo News he would take time off work and seek counseling.

“I was robbed three years ago,” he said. “That’s the main reason I bought the gun, but of course I hoped I would never use it. I just feel terrible for that kid’s family.

“I was making a delivery by invitation. Trouble came to me, and I am very sorry it ended this way, ended in someone’s death.”

Niagara County District Attorney Matthew Murphy III will review the case and said it might go before a grand jury.



Information from: The Buffalo News, http://www.buffalonews.com

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