ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Brian Alexis Nolin Melott pleaded guilty Tuesday to shooting another man to death in Bellaire.

Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan announced the guilty pleas in the April 27 homicide case in a news release. Flanagan said Melott, 21, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter with a gun specification and two counts of tampering with evidence. Common Pleas Judge John Vavra then sentenced Melott to 20 years to 25.5 years in prison.

Flanagan wrote that according to the Bellaire Police Department report, the victim, David Allen, confronted Melott and attempted to fight him.

“Allen, according to the report, was defending his friends who claimed that Melott was waving a gun at them,” Flanagan noted. “Conversely, Melott told police after the shooting that Allen’s friends were harassing him and his friends earlier in the evening. The report added that Allen did not possess a weapon when he was shot after confronting Melott.”

Flanagan said that Melott purchased a weapon soon after turning the age of 21.

“Mr. Melott was old enough to buy a gun but not mature enough to be trusted with one,” Flanagan added. “We have a young man that lost his life and another going to prison for decades. It was an absolutely senseless act. The heartbreak suffered by the victim’s family will last forever. Our prosecution ends the criminal case for them, but their anguish will always remain.”

Flanagan said Melott’s family is also suffering because of his selfish act. These cases impact families on both sides, the prosecutor said.

Flanagan ended by commending the Bellaire Police Department for a very thorough investigation.

“We had multiple witnesses who provided statements supporting both sides. It was up to Chief (J.J.) Watson and his officers to get the truth and they worked very hard to do so.”

During questioning following his arrest, Melott told police there had been arguments between himself and Allen and groups of their friends throughout the day on April 27. These conflicts allegedly occurred at Melott’s Noble Street residence, at a playground and near Chirp’s Auto Body Repair, located on Harrison Street.

Melott reportedly told investigators that Allen had run up to him near the entrance of Apartment 17 with his hands in his pockets, “flexed” and took his hoodie off. Melott said he thought Allen was going to hit him, prompting Melott to fire a shot. Watson previously testified that officers were able to determine the T-shirt, hoodie and cellphones did belong to Allen. The shirts showed no sign of a gunshot.

“Mr. Melott did admit to being the guy who pulled the trigger,” Watson testified. “Mr. Melott stated that he shot from his hip, and he shot him, David Allen, in David Allen’s side. At that point in time he was advised, no, there was a single gunshot wound directly center mass. …

“I asked Mr. Melott when I was talking to him during the interview if Mr. Allen had a weapon. … He said, ‘No, he did not have a weapon.'”

Melott’s defense attorneys originally claimed that he acted in self-defense but eventually helped him arrive at the plea deal entered Tuesday.