Search Under Way for Inmate Brother of Man Who Shot Himself in Cranberry Police Pursuit

New Castle police are looking for the brother of Lagene Lawson, 

Durand Lawson, 20, failed to return after being released from jail in Lawrence County Saturday to attend his brother’s funeral in New Castle. A felony arrest warrant was issued Monday for the 20-year-old, who had been awaiting trial on drug-related charges.

New Castle Police Chief Bobby Salem said Durand Lawson had made comments that he felt police in Cranberry were responsible for his brother’s death, the New Castle News reports. The chief did not know of any direct threats Durand Lawson made to , the report said.

“He made comments that his brother would not have ‘gone out’ like that,” Salem told the New Castle News.

On Monday, Cranberry Sgt. Chuck Mascellino said Cranberry police have not received any overt threats. He said Cranberry officers were notified Saturday that Durand Lawson was missing.

Cpl. Troy Christie said state police at Butler also were alerted of Durand Lawson’s failure to return to jail because his brother died in Butler County.

According to Cranberry Police, 19-year-old Lagene Lawson f Police had pursued him into the Cranberry Commons shopping center on Route 228 after a chase that began near Mars Area High School. The vehicle crashed into the  store, causing extensive damage.

Judge Dominick Motto granted the motion that Durand Lawson be furloughed from the jail from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday for the funeral, according to the New Castle News. He left the jail unattended and did not return when scheduled to do so, the newspaper reported.

Durand Lawson is described as a black male, 5-feet-10 inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds, according to police. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call New Castle police at 724-656-9300.