Pittsburgh man arrested in deadly stabbing attack on Montour Trail in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania police have arrested a man who is suspected of fatally stabbing another man Monday afternoon along a popular recreational trail outside of Pittsburgh.

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

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

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the man as Benjamin Brallier, of the Allegheny County borough of Coraopolis.

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Pittsburgh man arrested in trail stabbing attack

Moon Township police and first-responders were dispatched at 2:52 p.m. Monday to the 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 a criminal complaint provided to Paste BN. The man, since identified as Brallier, was transported to a hospital with multiple stab wounds 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 blood trail to a nearby yellow bicycle and multicolored bag, according to the complaint. Police circulated a photo of the bicycle on social media asking for the public's help in identifying its owner, who investigators believed was the suspect.

After obtaining a search warrant, investigators found Quesen's photo identification inside the bag. Quesen was arrested hours later at the entrance of 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 to his hands and blood stains on his clothing and made an unprovoked reference to a stabbing on the trail.

Motive in attack on Montour Trail unclear

According to the complaint, Brallier was a Liquor Control Enforcement Agent with the Pennsylvania State Police. Brallier's wife told investigators that he was an active runner and was believed to be exercising on the trail before the attack, the complaint states.

Police have not specified whether investigators have determined a motive for the attack.

Allegheny County police had no additional information to provide Tuesday morning when reached by Paste BN.

What is the Montour Trail?

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

Owned and maintained by the Montour Trail Council, the non-motorized recreational pathway is part of U.S. Bicycle Route 50, which will span the entire country when completed.

With a main line that runs 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 connects to the Pittsburgh International Airport.

Julian Wolfe, president of the Montour Trail Council, said in a statement to Paste BN that he is "deeply saddened" to learn of Brallier's death, but is "thankful" that law enforcement has made an arrest. Wolfe added that ensuring the safety of the pathways has always been a "paramount concern" for the council.

"While we recognize the seriousness of what has occurred, we want to assure our trail-users and the public that we believe the Montour Trail is a safe and welcoming community space," Wolfe said in the statement. "We will continue to work with our members, local officials and our community partners to improve and enhance what we are already doing so the trail continues to be the vital recreational asset it is known to be."

This article has been updated to add new information.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for Paste BN. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com