Pittsburgh Juvenile: Charged as Adult in Downtown Armed Robbery

Pittsburgh police are prosecuting a 16-year-old boy as an adult following a violent robbery in the city's downtown neighborhood. The suspect, identified as Javal West-Gray, is accused of using a firearm to steal property and injure a victim on Commonwealth Place.

The incident began just before 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 25. A man told officers he was walking with his girlfriend when a group of masked young men approached him. West-Gray allegedly produced a gun and demanded the man's hooded sweatshirt, which the victim surrendered.

The confrontation escalated when West-Gray reportedly struck the man over the head with the gun. After the victim fell to the ground, the suspect took his shoes and necklace. Police located West-Gray and two other boys shortly after the initial report.

West-Gray is now in custody at the Allegheny County Jail. He faces seven charges: robbery, aggravated assault, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm by a minor, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and theft by unlawful taking. His preliminary hearing is set for November 6.

The two other boys arrested in connection with the incident were released after being cited for summary harassment. This case highlights the legal process for juveniles in Allegheny County, where prosecutors can request that minors be tried in adult court if the crime is severe enough.

The robbery occurred in the 600 block of Commonwealth Place. Police are treating the case as an active investigation while the suspect awaits his court date.