Gunter pleads guilty to murder, additional suspects charged

Trey Gunter, 22, a suspect in last November’s off campus shooting of Tobiah J. Johnson at 123 Water St. in Edinboro, plead guilty to third-degree murder on Wednesday.

Gunter, a former Edinboro student, had been scheduled for trial on Oct. 20. He will reportedly not be prosecuted on his remaining charges.

According to GoErie, the District Attorney’s office “had been seeking a firstdegree murder conviction,” which is punishable with life in prison. Gunter plead guilty before Judge John J. Trucilla. A max sentence for third degree murder can be 20 to 40 years in a state prison.

Gunter’s sentencing date is currently Nov. 5. Gunter remains in Erie County Prison without bond.

Additionally, two other suspects have been arrested due to alleged involvement in the case: Ryan C. Andrews, 23, of Pittsburgh and Michael D. Barron, 23, also of Pittsburgh. Andrews was allegedly the driver in the last year’s shooting. According to the police affidavit of probably cause, Andrews drove Gunter and Barron, the latter an accused assailant in the case, to the area of 123 Water St., where they would reportedly assault and shoot Johnson.

Andrews is then accused of driving them from the scene after the assault and shooting took place. According to the affidavit, Andrews is being held on charges of conspiracy to commit homicide, homicide, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person, in Erie County Prison with no bail. These are the same charges being held against Barron, who was arrested Monday.

Barron is also being held in Erie County Prison without bond. Magisterial District Judge Denise Stuck-Lewis arraigned Andrews Tuesday, at 1 p.m. and his tentative preliminary hearing date is set for Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. Barron was arraigned, also by Stuck-Lewis, on Monday at 11 a.m. and his preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 5 at 1 p.m.

Logan Lilly is the Editor-In-Chief of The Spectator. He can be reached at edinboro.spectator@gmail.com.

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