35 of 43 homicides Black lives
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/articlelive/articles/37692/1/35-of-43-homicides-Black-lives/Page1.html
Deborah M. Todd
Courier Staff Writer
By Deborah M. Todd
Published on 05/3/2007
As part of an ongoing effort to heighten awareness about the effects of murder in Black communities, the New Pittsburgh Courier will compile a list of homicides in the County each month. It is our hope that as the list of victims grows, so will a true understanding of how these lost lives effect the mental health, economic well-being and self-images of the region’s Black neighborhoods.
31 were Black men
As part of an ongoing effort to heighten awareness about the effects of murder in Black communities, the New Pittsburgh Courier will compile a list of homicides in the County each month. It is our hope that as the list of victims grows, so will a true understanding of how these lost lives effect the mental health, economic well-being and self-images of the region’s Black neighborhoods. There were 95 homicides total in 2006—75 took the lives of Black people, 70 of those were Black men. There have been 43 homicides in Allegheny County as of April 30—35 of which have taken the lives of Black people, 31 of those murdered were Black men.
January 2007 homicides (13)
JAN. 2—Zander Pittrell, a 23-year-old Black male from Wilkinsburg, was found shot in the head near Stoner Way and Coal Street in Wilkinsburg. Police believe the shooting was the result of a home invasion.
JAN. 3—Charles Peterson, a 26-year-old Black male from St. Clair Village, was shot in the head in front of his home on Cresswell Street. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 5—Terry Adams, a 19-year-old Black male from McKeesport, was shot in the head and arm at a residence in Homewood. An arrest warrant has been issued for Brian “Barney” Martin of Wilkinsburg for the murder.
JAN. 9—Damien Lee Robinson, a 25-year-old Black male from Homewood, was shot multiple times with an assault rifle as he left a Kelly Street bar. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 12—Bryonna Watts, a 2-year-old Black female from the Hill District, was found in a box in her home on Reed Street, dead of asphyxiation. Ronda Watts, Bryonna’s mother, was charged with her death.
JAN. 13—Terrance Mattox, a 22-year-old Black male from Louisville, Ky., was found shot in the chest and abdomen around the corner from a Jackson Street residence where police think he was shot. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN.14—Aziz Porter, a 28-year-old Black male from Wilkinsburg, was shot multiple times in his trunk at a tavern in Penn Hills. Robert Hyatt of Wilkinsburg was arrested and charged with criminal homicide in relation to the murder.
JAN. 15—Dominique Cochran, a 23-year-old Black male from McKeesport, was shot on the front porch of a residence on Scott Street. An arrest warrant has been issued for Leroy Harris of Clairton in relation to the murder.
JAN. 15—James Robertson, a 34-year-old Black male from McKeesport, was shot on the front porch of a Scott Street residence. An arrest warrant has been issued for Leroy Harris of Clairton in relation to the murder.
JAN. 16—Donald Wertz, a 45-year-old White male from Pitcarin, was shot inside a bar on Broadway Avenue. Amanda Ofcansky of White Oak was arrested and charged with criminal homicide in relation to the murder.
JAN. 19—Donyea Thomas, a 27-year-old Black male from Delaware, was shot multiple times in the chest at Hi View Garden Apartment complex on Coursin Street in McKeesport. Investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
JAN. 25—Jermaine Woods, a 22-year-old Black male from Forest Hills, was shot in the torso inside his residence. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 31—Michael Ghafoor, a 22-year-old Black male from the North Side, was shot during a dispute with the police in Lawrenceville. Ghafoor was allegedly dealing drugs and aimed his weapon at the police.
February Homicides (11)
FEB. 4—Nyia Miangel Marie Page, a 23-month old Black female from Braddock, was found frozen in a wooded area in Rankin. She died from hypothermia and exposure. Her father, William Page, faces homicide charges in her death.
FEB. 7—Rodney Pointdexter, a 32-year-old Black male from Duquesne, was shot in the abdomen after a fight inside a Frankstown Avenue Bar. The investigation is ongoing.
FEB. 8—Christina Law, a 33-year-old white female from McKees Rocks, was found shot inside her Railroad Street home beside her boyfriend, Cardell Gary, who was also shot, and their 2-year-old daughter, who was unharmed. Marcus Early, an acquaintance, was charged in the murder and is awaiting trial.
FEB. 8—Cardell Gary, a 24-year-old Black male, from McKees Rocks, was found shot beside his girlfriend, Christina Law, and their 2-year-old daughter, who was unharmed, in their Railroad Street residence. Marcus Early, an acquaintance, was charged in the murder and is awaiting trial.
FEB. 12—Russell Thomas, a 36-year-old Black male from Carrick, was shot during an attempted robbery at an auto dealership on Bennett Street in Homewood. Byron Samuels of Carrick was cleared of homicide charges as the shooting was ruled self-defense.
FEB. 19—Antoine Williams, a 45-year-old Black male from Homewood, was killed when his body was severed in half. Keith Johnson of Homewood allegedly tried to speed from the scene of a drug deal on Hamilton Avenue, with Williams upper body inside his car, when Williams’ lower body hit a utility pole. Johnson is awaiting trial.
FEB. 19—Sidney McLean, a 42-year-old Black male from McKeesport, was shot dead outside a bar on Lysle Boulevard. Police have charged Oscar Beale of McKeesport with the criminal homicide.
FEB. 22—Ira Irvin, a 38-year-old Black male from Fineview, was shot at his girlfriend’s Suffolk Street residence. Irvin’s girlfriend says he answered the door, an argument ensued and he was shot soon after. The investigation is ongoing.
FEB. 28—Phyllis Terry, a 64-year-old white female from Penn Hills, was found shot to death with the bodies of her husband and two sons inside of her Davidson Drive home. Police believe George Terry Sr. killed his family and committed suicide.
FEB. 28—George W. Terry Jr., a 26-year-old white male from Penn Hills, was found shot to death with the bodies of his parents and brother in his parents’ Davidson Drive home. Police believe George Terry Sr. killed his family and committed suicide.
FEB. 28—Jeffrey Terry, a 25-year-old white male from Penn Hills, was found shot to death with the bodies of his parents and brother inside his parents’ Davidson Drive home. Police believe George Terry Sr. killed his family and committed suicide.
March Homicides (6)
MARCH 3—Albert Daniel Jr., a 28-year-old Black male from Birmingham, Ala., was found with a gunshot wound to the chest in an embankment off of Highland Avenue in Wilkins Township. Wilkins Township and County Police are continuing to investigate this case.
MARCH 3—Keith Ivory, a 50-year-old white male from Steubenville Pike, was found beaten to death in his residence. The investigation into Ivory’s death is ongoing.
MARCH 6—William White, a 29-year-old Black male from Arlington, was shot multiple times outside of a bar on Chartiers Street in West End. The investigation into White’s death is ongoing.
MARCH 10—Nathaniel Caldwell, a 79-year-old Black male from Homewood, was shot in the head during a burglary at his Frankstown Avenue home. The investigation into his death is ongoing.
MARCH 17—Jerell Everett, an 18-year-old Black male from Beltzhoover, was shot outside of a bar on Webster Avenue in Homewood. The investigation into his death is ongoing.
MARCH 26—Omar McDonald, a 25-year-old Black male from East Liberty, was found shot in an alley off of Deary Street in Lincoln/Larimer. The investigation into McDonald’s death is ongoing.
April Homicides (13)
APRIL 3—Jobeth Olson, a 19-year-old white female from West Mifflin, was found shot behind the wheel of a minivan at a restaurant on Lebanon Church Road. Olson died from a gunshot wound to the neck. Olson’s boyfriend James Edward Nalls was charged with the murder.
APRIL 3—Lexi Tucker, a 6-month-old Black female from Homewood, died of blunt force trauma to the thorax. Her father, Darnell Harper, has been charged in her death.
APRIL 7—Darrell Dyer, a 20-year-old Black male from East Liberty, was found shot in the head in the rear of an Enright Court home. Investigation into his death is ongoing.
APRIL 11—Jerome Childs, a 33-year-old Black male from the Hill District, was shot inside of a lounge on Webster Avenue. Childs died from a gunshot wound to the chest. The investigation into his murder is ongoing.
APRIL 15—James Crowder, a 34-year-old Black male from Farrell, Pa., was found shot on Howley Street in the Hill District. Police arrested Christopher Rodgers, who arrived at the hospital shortly after Crowder with a gunshot wound to the torso, for the murder.
APRIL 16—Brian Kurpil, a 37-year-old white male from Arlington, was shot in the head during a dispute inside of an Arlington Avenue home. Tawan Watley of South Oakland turned himself in to police for the murder.
APRIL 17—William Smoot III, a 21-year-old Black male from Homestead, was shot at a West Street residence along with another victim. An unnamed 17-year-old male was arrested for the murder.
APRIL 19—Edward Loggins, an 86-year-old Black male from Highland Park, was found shot in the head on a set of railroad tracks in Baldwin. The investigation into his death is ongoing.
APRIL 19—Jason Robinson, a 24-year-old Black male from Garfield, was shot in the chest during a drive-by shooting on the 5100 block of Columbo Street. Montay Bailey of Lincoln-Lemington has been charged with the murder.
APRIL 19—Boston Smithwik, a 48-year-old Black male from Duquesne, was shot during a robbery attempt while delivering a pizza to a Campbell Street residence in Wilkinsburg. Seventeen-year-old Lance Dempster of Wilkinsburg turned himself in to police and has been charged as an adult with Criminal Homicide.
APRIL 19—Jabreel Scott, a 27-year-old Black man from the Hill District, was shot multiple times, in broad daylight, on Smithfield Street Downtown. A gunman approached Scott and shot him seven times. Investigation into this incident is ongoing.
APRIL 23—Diana Tracey Hubert, a 39-year-old Black woman from Homewood, was found in the woods behind Nimick Place and Karl Street in East Liberty. An autopsy determined she died of strangulation. The investigation into her death is ongoing.
APRIL 28—Thomas Howard, a 27-year-old Black male from the Hill District, was shot in the stomach at an Elmore Square apartment. Howard’s cousin, Jabreel Scott, was shot less than 10 days earlier. Investigation into the murder is ongoing.
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January 2007 homicides (13)
JAN. 2—Zander Pittrell, a 23-year-old Black male from Wilkinsburg, was found shot in the head near Stoner Way and Coal Street in Wilkinsburg. Police believe the shooting was the result of a home invasion.
JAN. 3—Charles Peterson, a 26-year-old Black male from St. Clair Village, was shot in the head in front of his home on Cresswell Street. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 5—Terry Adams, a 19-year-old Black male from McKeesport, was shot in the head and arm at a residence in Homewood. An arrest warrant has been issued for Brian “Barney” Martin of Wilkinsburg for the murder.
JAN. 9—Damien Lee Robinson, a 25-year-old Black male from Homewood, was shot multiple times with an assault rifle as he left a Kelly Street bar. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 12—Bryonna Watts, a 2-year-old Black female from the Hill District, was found in a box in her home on Reed Street, dead of asphyxiation. Ronda Watts, Bryonna’s mother, was charged with her death.
JAN. 13—Terrance Mattox, a 22-year-old Black male from Louisville, Ky., was found shot in the chest and abdomen around the corner from a Jackson Street residence where police think he was shot. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN.14—Aziz Porter, a 28-year-old Black male from Wilkinsburg, was shot multiple times in his trunk at a tavern in Penn Hills. Robert Hyatt of Wilkinsburg was arrested and charged with criminal homicide in relation to the murder.
JAN. 15—Dominique Cochran, a 23-year-old Black male from McKeesport, was shot on the front porch of a residence on Scott Street. An arrest warrant has been issued for Leroy Harris of Clairton in relation to the murder.
JAN. 15—James Robertson, a 34-year-old Black male from McKeesport, was shot on the front porch of a Scott Street residence. An arrest warrant has been issued for Leroy Harris of Clairton in relation to the murder.
JAN. 16—Donald Wertz, a 45-year-old White male from Pitcarin, was shot inside a bar on Broadway Avenue. Amanda Ofcansky of White Oak was arrested and charged with criminal homicide in relation to the murder.
JAN. 19—Donyea Thomas, a 27-year-old Black male from Delaware, was shot multiple times in the chest at Hi View Garden Apartment complex on Coursin Street in McKeesport. Investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
JAN. 25—Jermaine Woods, a 22-year-old Black male from Forest Hills, was shot in the torso inside his residence. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 31—Michael Ghafoor, a 22-year-old Black male from the North Side, was shot during a dispute with the police in Lawrenceville. Ghafoor was allegedly dealing drugs and aimed his weapon at the police.
February Homicides (11)
FEB. 4—Nyia Miangel Marie Page, a 23-month old Black female from Braddock, was found frozen in a wooded area in Rankin. She died from hypothermia and exposure. Her father, William Page, faces homicide charges in her death.
FEB. 7—Rodney Pointdexter, a 32-year-old Black male from Duquesne, was shot in the abdomen after a fight inside a Frankstown Avenue Bar. The investigation is ongoing.
FEB. 8—Christina Law, a 33-year-old white female from McKees Rocks, was found shot inside her Railroad Street home beside her boyfriend, Cardell Gary, who was also shot, and their 2-year-old daughter, who was unharmed. Marcus Early, an acquaintance, was charged in the murder and is awaiting trial.
FEB. 8—Cardell Gary, a 24-year-old Black male, from McKees Rocks, was found shot beside his girlfriend, Christina Law, and their 2-year-old daughter, who was unharmed, in their Railroad Street residence. Marcus Early, an acquaintance, was charged in the murder and is awaiting trial.
FEB. 12—Russell Thomas, a 36-year-old Black male from Carrick, was shot during an attempted robbery at an auto dealership on Bennett Street in Homewood. Byron Samuels of Carrick was cleared of homicide charges as the shooting was ruled self-defense.
FEB. 19—Antoine Williams, a 45-year-old Black male from Homewood, was killed when his body was severed in half. Keith Johnson of Homewood allegedly tried to speed from the scene of a drug deal on Hamilton Avenue, with Williams upper body inside his car, when Williams’ lower body hit a utility pole. Johnson is awaiting trial.
FEB. 19—Sidney McLean, a 42-year-old Black male from McKeesport, was shot dead outside a bar on Lysle Boulevard. Police have charged Oscar Beale of McKeesport with the criminal homicide.
FEB. 22—Ira Irvin, a 38-year-old Black male from Fineview, was shot at his girlfriend’s Suffolk Street residence. Irvin’s girlfriend says he answered the door, an argument ensued and he was shot soon after. The investigation is ongoing.
FEB. 28—Phyllis Terry, a 64-year-old white female from Penn Hills, was found shot to death with the bodies of her husband and two sons inside of her Davidson Drive home. Police believe George Terry Sr. killed his family and committed suicide.
FEB. 28—George W. Terry Jr., a 26-year-old white male from Penn Hills, was found shot to death with the bodies of his parents and brother in his parents’ Davidson Drive home. Police believe George Terry Sr. killed his family and committed suicide.
FEB. 28—Jeffrey Terry, a 25-year-old white male from Penn Hills, was found shot to death with the bodies of his parents and brother inside his parents’ Davidson Drive home. Police believe George Terry Sr. killed his family and committed suicide.
March Homicides (6)
MARCH 3—Albert Daniel Jr., a 28-year-old Black male from Birmingham, Ala., was found with a gunshot wound to the chest in an embankment off of Highland Avenue in Wilkins Township. Wilkins Township and County Police are continuing to investigate this case.
MARCH 3—Keith Ivory, a 50-year-old white male from Steubenville Pike, was found beaten to death in his residence. The investigation into Ivory’s death is ongoing.
MARCH 6—William White, a 29-year-old Black male from Arlington, was shot multiple times outside of a bar on Chartiers Street in West End. The investigation into White’s death is ongoing.
MARCH 10—Nathaniel Caldwell, a 79-year-old Black male from Homewood, was shot in the head during a burglary at his Frankstown Avenue home. The investigation into his death is ongoing.
MARCH 17—Jerell Everett, an 18-year-old Black male from Beltzhoover, was shot outside of a bar on Webster Avenue in Homewood. The investigation into his death is ongoing.
MARCH 26—Omar McDonald, a 25-year-old Black male from East Liberty, was found shot in an alley off of Deary Street in Lincoln/Larimer. The investigation into McDonald’s death is ongoing.
April Homicides (13)
APRIL 3—Jobeth Olson, a 19-year-old white female from West Mifflin, was found shot behind the wheel of a minivan at a restaurant on Lebanon Church Road. Olson died from a gunshot wound to the neck. Olson’s boyfriend James Edward Nalls was charged with the murder.
APRIL 3—Lexi Tucker, a 6-month-old Black female from Homewood, died of blunt force trauma to the thorax. Her father, Darnell Harper, has been charged in her death.
APRIL 7—Darrell Dyer, a 20-year-old Black male from East Liberty, was found shot in the head in the rear of an Enright Court home. Investigation into his death is ongoing.
APRIL 11—Jerome Childs, a 33-year-old Black male from the Hill District, was shot inside of a lounge on Webster Avenue. Childs died from a gunshot wound to the chest. The investigation into his murder is ongoing.
APRIL 15—James Crowder, a 34-year-old Black male from Farrell, Pa., was found shot on Howley Street in the Hill District. Police arrested Christopher Rodgers, who arrived at the hospital shortly after Crowder with a gunshot wound to the torso, for the murder.
APRIL 16—Brian Kurpil, a 37-year-old white male from Arlington, was shot in the head during a dispute inside of an Arlington Avenue home. Tawan Watley of South Oakland turned himself in to police for the murder.
APRIL 17—William Smoot III, a 21-year-old Black male from Homestead, was shot at a West Street residence along with another victim. An unnamed 17-year-old male was arrested for the murder.
APRIL 19—Edward Loggins, an 86-year-old Black male from Highland Park, was found shot in the head on a set of railroad tracks in Baldwin. The investigation into his death is ongoing.
APRIL 19—Jason Robinson, a 24-year-old Black male from Garfield, was shot in the chest during a drive-by shooting on the 5100 block of Columbo Street. Montay Bailey of Lincoln-Lemington has been charged with the murder.
APRIL 19—Boston Smithwik, a 48-year-old Black male from Duquesne, was shot during a robbery attempt while delivering a pizza to a Campbell Street residence in Wilkinsburg. Seventeen-year-old Lance Dempster of Wilkinsburg turned himself in to police and has been charged as an adult with Criminal Homicide.
APRIL 19—Jabreel Scott, a 27-year-old Black man from the Hill District, was shot multiple times, in broad daylight, on Smithfield Street Downtown. A gunman approached Scott and shot him seven times. Investigation into this incident is ongoing.
APRIL 23—Diana Tracey Hubert, a 39-year-old Black woman from Homewood, was found in the woods behind Nimick Place and Karl Street in East Liberty. An autopsy determined she died of strangulation. The investigation into her death is ongoing.
APRIL 28—Thomas Howard, a 27-year-old Black male from the Hill District, was shot in the stomach at an Elmore Square apartment. Howard’s cousin, Jabreel Scott, was shot less than 10 days earlier. Investigation into the murder is ongoing.