Posted on 04/25/2014 7:22:30 PM PDT by Gamecock
NEW BRIGHTON (KDKA) — Police say a woman murdered her own niece just hours after her wedding, because they were arguing over who would drive home from a New Brighton bar.
It happened just before 10 p.m. Thursday at Jimmy K’s Bar on 11th Avenue.
Police say 21-year-old Katelyn Francis of Fairview, W. Va., was shot in the parking lot. She died on her way to the hospital.
Police say that Francis was at the bar with her aunt and her aunt’s new husband.
Police say the three were arguing over who was going to drive home. That’s when they say 30-year-old Christina Nicole George-Harvan pulled out a gun and shot her niece.
“To our understanding, this was over who was going to drive the vehicle, the designated driver for the evening,” said Chief Charles Vanfossan, of New Brighton Police.
Police say they believe the suspect was holding her husband’s gun.
“The only thing she said is she touched the weapon and it discharged,” Chief Vanfossan said.
Witnesses noticed the argument earlier in the bar.
The three were reportedly out celebrating George-Harvan’s wedding just hours earlier.
“Everybody in the bar noticed that there was something going on with the people, but nobody knew exactly what was happening,” said witness James Botinovich. He went on to say “the next thing you know we heard someone got shot … looked out, noticed it was right by my car.”
Meanwhile, the family is devastated.
“This is just insane. It is unbelievable, a tragedy,” said Annette Costanza, a family friend. “It breaks my heart and it’s not my child, but she was like my child because she was my best friend’s child. She is my best friend’s child.”
George-Harvan, who is from Conway, faces one count of homicide, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of reckless endangerment.
Perhaps the niece gave the groom a lap dance. Or a little kissy kissy on the dance floor.
My first thought was there had to be something between the niece and the groom.
The defense attorney:
“The ads always say Do Whatever It Takes to keep someone from driving drunk”
Case dismissed.
Alcohol is the worst drug on the face of the earth, hands down. I'm no Prohibitionist, but the dangers of careless exercise of Freedom should be a central to our education system. Alcohol (and all other drugs, of course) furnish numerous striking examples of how abuse of Rights can lead to tragedy in Free society.
My first thought was there had to be something between the niece and the groom.
LOL!
Aunt shoots neice. Step uncle gets arrested? Remind me to give W.V. a wide birth whenever traveling south.
Christina Nicole George-Harvan is the aunt.
Most families I know usually refrain from busting out guns at weddings.. yaknow, alcohol and all.. city limits regs etc..
Unfortunately, all one can do is shake their head at this tragedy that will mar everyone’s lives and their memories of that day.
Yikes!
Darn Amish.
I know a guy who started a fistfight at his own wedding. I never found out what it was about. And yes, the guy loves his booze...which might have had something to do with the fight. (snicker)
(slurring) Designated driver? You told me YOU were going to be the designated driver!
I’ve seen this type of argument (not with gunshots) but with two or more people in a drunken stupor claiming the other was supposed to be the designated driver.
Just what kind of cheap gift did the niece give dear ole auntie?
Kissing the bride for more than five seconds may get you shot.
About 10 years ago I happened to be doing a volunteer project along side the town police chief. We got to talking (while painting) and he said if you took booze out of the picture he could get by with 1/10 the force. I believe him.
If your wife thinks you are an alcoholic for drinking at home alone just tell her it is safer that way.
Absolutely.To take that thought a bit further if you took booze *and* drugs out of the picture hospital ERs could cut their evening and night shift staffing by two thirds...if not more.
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