Police say 28-year-old Joshua Ryan Sweat, of Weirton, W.Va., was walking through an empty lot in downtown Steubenville around 1 a.m. Police said they believe Sweat may have been headed to Pee-Dee's bar, but he never made it there, because a bullet stopped him in his tracks.

"One of the employees told me, he said that he heard a firecracker. But since he was an ex-serviceman, he knew it wasn't a firecracker," said nearby business owner Aldo Candstraro.

Police said someone shot Sweat in the back of the head, and they said there were people around at the time of the incident, but no one would talk. They said they have no suspects at this point.

Candstraro said there are always lots of people standing around late at night in that lot.

"People stand in this parking lot all night because they won't let just anybody in that bar. A lot of them get stuck outside and they won't let them in," said Candstraro.

Police said Sweat was in serious condition when they got to him. They didn't have to go far to get to him because he was just feet away from their station.

Police said the bullet went through the back of Sweats head and stopped at the front of his skull.

Sweat was originally taken to Trinity West hospital, but later had to be rushed to Mercy hospital in Pittsburgh, where doctors just couldn't save him in time.

Police are asking for anyone with information on the incident to contact the Steubenville police.

Jackie Cain, NEWS9

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