Pittsburgh man arrested in deadly stabbing on Montour Trail in Pennsylvania

Police in Pennsylvania have arrested a man suspected of fatally stabbing another man Monday afternoon along a popular recreational trail outside Pittsburgh.

Anthony Quesen, 25, was charged with criminal homicide in connection with the deadly attack that occurred around 3 p.m. in Moon Township, located about 12 miles west of Pittsburgh on Montour Trail, police said of Allegheny County in a press release. The multi-use recreational trail stretches approximately 47 miles around Pittsburgh and is privately owned and operated.

Following the attack, a 44-year-old man was taken to hospital to be treated for stab wounds and later died, police said.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man as Benjamin Brallier, of the Coraopolis Borough of Allegheny County.

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Pittsburgh man arrested in stabbing

Moon Township police and first responders were dispatched at 2:52 p.m. Monday to Montour Trail after receiving a 911 call about an injured man.

When police arrived, bystanders were attempting to provide medical aid to the victim, according to a criminal complaint filed with USA TODAY. The man, since identified as Brallier, was taken to the hospital with multiple injuries to his back, upper chest and left hand, where he was later pronounced dead, the complaint states.

Allegheny County Police Homicide Detectives were called in to help investigate.

Investigators searching the scene found signs of a struggle and followed a trail of blood to a yellow bicycle and a multi-colored bag nearby, according to the complaint. Police posted a photo of the bike on social media, asking for the public’s help in identifying its owner, who investigators believe was the suspect.

After obtaining a search warrant, investigators found Quesen’s mugshot inside the bag. Quesen was arrested a few hours later at the entrance to the Montour Woods Conservation Area, less than a half-mile from the crime scene, the complaint states.

Investigators said in the criminal complaint that Quesen was observed with cuts on his hands and blood stains on his clothing and made unprovoked references to a stabbing on the trail.

Motive for attack on Montour Trail unclear

According to the complaint, Brallier was an alcohol control officer with the Pennsylvania State Police. Brallier’s wife told investigators he was an active runner and may have been exercising on the trail before the attack, the complaint states.

Police did not say whether investigators had determined a motive for the attack.

Allegheny County police had no additional information to provide Tuesday morning when contacted by USA TODAY.

What is the Montour Trail?

The Montour Trail, where the attack took place, is a converted railroad used by more than 400,000 people a year, according to its website.

The non-motorized recreational trail is part of U.S. Bicycle Route 50, which runs east-west and, when completed, will cover the entire country.

With a main line stretching from Coraopolis along the Ohio River to Clairton along the Monongahela River, the trail includes more than 25 access areas and trailheads – with a northwest branch that extends connects to Pittsburgh International Airport.

The Montour Trail Council, which owns and maintains the trail, did not immediately respond Tuesday morning to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

Eric Lagatta covers the latest news and trends for USA TODAY. Contact him at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Montour Trail death: Anthony Quesen arrested in fatal Pittsburgh stabbing