Man Suspected of Killing PA Officer Arrested
According to police, 29-year-old Rahmael Sal Holt was arrested without incident around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday in Hazelwood. Holt is accused of killing 25-year-old Officer Brian Shaw on Friday.

Rahmael Sal Holt arrives at the New Kensington Police Department. Holt, who is suspected of killing New Kensington officer Brian Shaw Friday, was captured by a law enforcement task force Tuesday morning. (Photo: KDKA Screen Shot)
The man suspected in the fatal shooting of a New Kensington, PA, police officer is in custody.
According to police, 29-year-old Rahmael Sal Holt was arrested without incident around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday in Hazelwood. Holt is accused of killing 25-year-old Officer Brian Shaw on Friday.
The FBI, U.S. Marshals, Allegheny County Police and the Pittsburgh SWAT team made the arrest, KDKA TV reports.
Holt was transported to New Kensington, where he was led into the magistrate’s office around 9 a.m. The handcuffs used on Holt belonged to Officer Shaw.
Police have been searching for Holt since the shooting happened around 8:15 p.m. Friday after police tried to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle in New Kensington.
Holt has been charged with first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer; murder of the first degree; possession of a firearm; and carrying a firearm without a license, according to an online court docket.
According to an affidavit, Officer Shaw attempted a traffic stop of a Jeep driven by Tavon Harper, 27. The Jeep never stopped, the affidavit said. Holt, a passenger, fled the vehicle on foot while Harper drove away, the affidavit said.
It was then that Holt, being pursued by Officer Shaw, fired multiple shots, killing the patrolman, according to the affidavit. Officer Shaw, shot at least once in the chest, was taken to Allegheny Valley Hospital in Natrona Heights, where he was pronounced dead.
Harper was taken into custody Monday by Westmoreland County detectives. Harper is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude and two drug offenses. He was arraigned and is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison on $500,000 straight bond.
The Post-Gazettte reports that court records show that Holt’s mother, Sherry, his cousin, Marcel Mason, and Mason’s girlfriend, Aysa Benson, have all been arrested and charged with hindering apprehension.
More Patrol

PositionPTT & Pryme Combine Communication Technologies to Deliver Distracted Driving Compliance
Pryme Radio Accessories and hardware/software maker PositionPTT join forces to advance hands-free communications and ensure Department of Transportation compliance using an integrated system of push-to-talk platforms, devices, and audio equipment.
Read More →
Justice Department Releases $25M in Law Enforcement Grants & Resources
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has just released $25 million in new grant Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) to support law enforcement. The recently released NOFOs include the Safer Outcomes: Enhancing Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement Program and other grant programs.
Read More →
What Makes a Laptop Rugged or Fully Rugged?
What separates a rugged laptop from a fully rugged one? In this video, two Panasonic Connect experts explain the military testing, IP ratings, durability standards, and real-world features that help law enforcement officers rely on their computers in any environment.
Read More →
Avon Technologies Appoints Vasilios Brachos as Team Wendy President
Longtime ballistic helmet leader Vasilios Brachos has been selected to guide the next chapter of protection, innovation, and growth at Team Wendy.
Read More →
Brinc Raises $125M to Put a 911 Response Drone on Every Police and Fire Station Roof
The latest round of funding, $125 million, can help fuel Brinc’s mission to deploy 911-response drones at the 80,000 police and fire stations across the United States.
Read More →
Garmont Tactical Contact Collection: New Duty Boots for Law Enforcement
Choosing the right duty boot can make a significant difference during long shifts. In this video overview, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, introduces the new Contact Collection, designed specifically for law enforcement professionals seeking comfort, traction, and durability.
Read More →
Benchmade Launches Taiga Green Bailout
Benchmade has launched its Taiga Green Bailout, which features an anodized aluminum handle, S90V stainless steel, and Burnt Copper hardware accents.
Read More →
Adept Armor Launches the Nova Titanium Combat Helmet: A Metal Ballistic Helmet at Composite-Helmet Weight
Adept Armor said its new Nova Titanium combat helmet delivers rated 9mm protection at 920 grams all-in, low backface deformation, edge-to-edge coverage, and an indefinite shelf life at roughly a quarter the price of premium polyethylene helmets.
Read More →
5.11 Expands Professional Services Line with Premium, Performance-Driven Scrubs Designed for Healthcare Professionals
The launch of high-performance medical scrubs marks another major expansion of 5.11’s growing Professional Services category, enabling hospitals and healthcare systems to outfit a wide range of roles.
Read More →
SOG Knives Unveils 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Fixed Blade
SOG Knives has debuted its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, and only 250 are available. It features an advanced 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade and a tough glass-reinforced nylon handle.
Read More →