Jones names shooter, regains feeling in legs

Brad Jones, the Penn State freshman linebacker who was shot in the neck last weekend, has regained feeling and movement in his legs, Monessen police chief Gary Tretter said yesterday.

Tretter, who interviewed the 21-year-old Tuesday morning, said Jones had feeling in his lower extremities. He added that Jones' father told him his son was able to lift his legs.

The police chief also said that Jones identified the man who shot him as being Lanyere Rockamore, 25, of Pittsburgh. Rockamore and Albert Reid, also 25 and of Pittsburgh, were arrested minutes after the shooting occurred. They were later charged with conspiracy to commit criminal homicide.

"He was able to pick the shooter out of the photo," Tretter said. "It's moving along now. It's pretty much a done deal."

Rockamore, who was to have had a preliminary hearing tomorrow on an unrelated crack cocaine possession charge, was also charged with aggravated assault and possession of a controlled substance. Eight large bags of marijuana were found in his car after he was arrested.

Tretter said both men are still being held at Westmoreland County Jail. Rockamore's bail has been set at $100,000, while Reid's was set at $25,000.

Jones was shot at close range by a gunman with a .357 magnum Sunday morning in his hometown of Monessen as he sat behind the wheel of his car. The bullet, which richoted off of his spine and landed in his chest cavity, was removed Sunday by surgeons at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Jones remains at Allegheny, where a hospital spokesperson said he is still in fair condition.

-- by Don Stewart