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Anthony Quesen was arrested in a fatal knife attack in Pittsburgh

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Anthony Quesen was arrested in a fatal knife attack in Pittsburgh

Anthony Quesen, 25, was charged with criminal homicide in connection with the fatal attack in Moon Township, about 12 miles west of Pittsburgh.

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

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

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

The Allegheny County Coroner's Office has identified the man as Benjamin Brallier of Coraopolis County in Allegheny County.

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

When police arrived, passersby attempted to provide medical assistance to the victim, according to a criminal complaint provided to USA TODAY. The man, now 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.

Investigators from the Allegheny County Police Homicide Unit were called in to assist in the investigation.

Investigators searching the scene found signs of a struggle and followed a trail of blood to a nearby yellow bicycle and a colorful bag, the complaint says. Police shared a photo of the bike on social media and asked the public for help identifying its owner, who investigators believe was the suspect.

After obtaining a search warrant, investigators found Quesen's photo ID in the bag. Quesen was arrested hours later at the entrance to the Montour Woods Conservation Area, less than a half-mile from the crime scene, the complaint says.

Investigators said in the criminal complaint that Quesen was observed with cuts on his hands and bloodstains on his clothing and made an unwarranted suggestion of a stabbing on the trail.

Motive for attack on Montour Trail unclear

According to the complaint, Brallier was a liquor control enforcement officer with the Pennsylvania State Police. Brallier's wife told investigators that he was an active runner and was probably training on the track before the attack, the complaint states.

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

Allegheny County police had no further information to provide when reached by USA TODAY Tuesday morning.

What is the Montour Trail?

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

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

With a main route running 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 connecting to Pittsburgh International Airport.

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

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and breaking news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]

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