Man extradited to Somerset County, facing attempted murder charges

SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A California man who is accused of shooting another man twice in January at a Somerset County inn has now been extradited back to the state.

Andrew Vega, 33, was extradited back to Pennsylvania and is now being held in the Somerset County Prison. He is facing charges of criminal attempt of murder in the first degree, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with an attempt to cause serious bodily injury, possessing a firearm prohibited and other misdemeanor charges.

On Jan. 4 officers from the Somerset Borough Police Department were called to the Holiday Inn Express for a report of a gunshot victim. Police arrived on scene and found Lancaster man who told them he had been shot twice by a man, later identified as Vega. The victim had two bullet wounds, both in his thighs, and was taken to the hospital and later released, according to the criminal complaint.

The victim stated that Vega had pulled up to him while he was sitting in his car, drew a firearm and fired several shots at him. In an interview with police, he said that he thought Vega fired 5-6 shots and then started “cheering” before he fled the scene. The victim told police he was afraid for his life as he thought Vega was trying to kill him.

Police spoke to the Holiday Inn Express worker who had called in the shots being fired who was then able to provide them with the hotel registry for the night. Police noted that Vega had been checked in the day of the shooting and were also able to see him on the surveillance camera both shooting at the victim and fleeing the scene.

On Jan. 11, the Flloyd County Sheriff’s office in the state of Indiana contacted Somerset County police and informed them that Vega’s car had been seen and that officers engaged in a high speed chase in an attempt to catch Vega. Vega then allegedly dumped his car and took off on foot before he was arrested by officers.

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Vega has a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 10.

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