Man Killed Pittsburgh Mailman He Claims Poisoned Him: Police

COLLIER TOWNSHIP, PA — A U.S. Postal Service worker was shot and killed Thursday morning by a man police say suspected the mail carrier of poisoning him and his family when they were neighbors.

The suspect, Eric Kortz, 53, turned himself in to Carnegie police shortly after the crime and was in federal custody by late Thursday afternoon. He is accused of killing Louis Vignone, 58.

Authorities said Kortz told investigators that he was aware of Vignone's mail route. Kortz stated that he located Vignone, and stopped his vehicle in front of the Vignone's postal service truck. Kortz stated that he “went to put some bullets in him” before dropping his weapon at the scene and then turning himself in, according to acting U.S. Attorney Stephen Kaufman's office.

Kortz shot Vignone because he believed his former neighbor poisoned Kortz and Kortz's family members with cyanide, according to Kaufman's office. It's unclear if Kortz detailed how he believed he was poisoned.

If convicted, Kortz faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or death.

Allegheny County 911 was notified of the shooting on Suburban Avenue near Columbia Avenue at 10:14 a.m. Thursday, county police said. First responders found Vignone carrier dead from multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the head.

Investigators found a firearm and seven spent shell casings in a yard near Vignone's vehicle.

County and Collier police and the United States Postal Inspection Service are investigating the incident.

The postal inspection service maintains a police force that investigates and prevents violence against postal service employees. The force also is tasked with securing post offices, facilities, and postal vehicles.

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