A man is behind bars in connection to the murder of his cousin. The Allegheny County Police Department reports that 26-year-old Bernard Junior Polite has been charged in connection to a homicide in North Braddock.

On May 5, 2024 around 8:15 p.m., County 911 received a call about a man shot in the 500 block of Stokes Avenue in North Braddock. At the scene, first responders found an adult male deceased inside a residence. The man was identified as 56-year-old Derek Polite.

ACPD’s Homicide Unit responded to investigate. Detectives say they learned that 26-year-old Bernard Junior Polite was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police after the incident at a church around 1:05 p.m. on May 5. Following witness reports of an incident, family members of Derek Polite went to the residence to check on his well-being and found him deceased.

Detective say Bernard Polite was seen pacing outside the residence that morning. A neighbor reported hearing a noise that could’ve been a gunshot around 10 a.m. The Pennsylvania State Police recovered a firearm. Authorities say it matches the projectile recovered from the victim.

Polite is charged with one count of criminal homicide.