DA: Guard in fatal $2M heist claims self-defense

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. said authorities believe Kenneth Konias Jr. was driving the Garda Cash Logistics armored car when he opened a door behind the driver's seat and fatally shot his partner, Michael Haines, who was in the middle of the truck's three compartments on Feb. 28 in Pittsburgh.

But while Zappala believes Haines most likely did oppose the heist, he said the physical evidence doesn't support what Zappala considers Konias' self-serving claim that he only shot Haines after Haines aimed a gun at him. Haines was shot in the back of the head, Zappala said.

"I thought it was important for the Haines family to know he was not complicit" in the crime, Zappala said. Investigators have yet to recover Haines' service weapon and may never know, therefore, if he drew it or whether Konias took it.

A team of FBI agents and Pennsylvania investigators have gone to Florida trying to trace Konias' movements prior to his arrest early Tuesday in Pompano Beach, north of Miami.

Zappala did not offer details on reports that Konias confided in a prostitute who then told a male acquaintance about Konias before that person contacted Pittsburgh police late Monday. But Zappala said investigators are very interested in what Konias did, where he spent the money and with whom he interacted during the several weeks they believe he spent in south Florida following the heist.

Although Zappala don't believe Haines or anyone else at Garda was involved, he said investigators aren't yet sure Konias didn't plan the crime with others.