Pittsburgh-area man shot dead in dispute over parking space

EXPORT, Pa. (KDKA) – A man in Export, Westmoreland County, was shot and killed following a dispute over a parking space, police said.

Pennsylvania State Police said the shooting occurred on Madison Avenue shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday. 65-year-old Daniel Chicka was killed in the shooting, officials said. A neighbor, 32-year-old Matt Miller, was taken away in handcuffs.

Another neighbor told KDKA-TV the shooting occurred on the street. Police said the parking lot was at the center of an ongoing dispute.

Chicka’s brothers said he was visiting his girlfriend when he was shot. A neighbor said Miller had recently moved in and was defending his territory around the parking lot.

“It’s a shame that someone was killed for nothing,” said neighbor Greg Rager. “Just stupid.”

Chicka’s brothers said people called him “Slim” and he was a retired coal miner from Avonmore. He loved motorcycles and remote-controlled airplanes.

Sources told KDKA-TV that five shots were fired and Miller claimed self-defense. No charges had been filed in the case as of Tuesday evening, according to court records.

Police are working to obtain search warrants for homes and vehicles.