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.

KDKA’s Bob Allen Reports:



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.

KDKA’s Bob Allen Reports:



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.”

KDKA’s Trina Orlando Reports:



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.

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