The homicide rate for July reached the unfortunate milestone of being the highest monthly total—20—since the New Pittsburgh Courier began the “Under Attack: By Us” tally in 2006 (the previous monthly high was 14 in April 2007); that’s nearly triple the number of last July.
The month began with two double homicides over the Fourth of July weekend and ended with another double homicide July 31. If the sheer number of murders wasn’t shocking enough, there was the death of 18-year-old mother-to-be Kia Johnson that made national news.
As part of an ongoing effort to heighten awareness about the effects of murder in the Black community, 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 afect the mental health, economic well-being and self-image of the region’s Black neighborhoods.
Out of 70 murders, thus far, in 2008—56 were Black and 49 were Black men. By the end of July last year, there were 64 homicides and by the end of July 2006 the total had only reached 47.
July Homicides (20)
JULY 4—Sonsiarae Watts, a 45-year-old Black female from Stowe Township, was found shot to death, along with her boyfriend Dahl Palm Sr., in the bedroom of her home. The couple was found around 4 a.m. No one has been charged with the murders, but police did question Watts’ ex-boyfriend, Wendell Jones, and later released him. There reportedly had been a violent history between the former couple. Watts had recently filed a protection from abuse order. The investigation is ongoing.
JULY 4—Dahl Palm Sr., a 44-year-old Black male from Stowe Township, was found shot to death in the home he shared with his girlfriend, Sonsiarae Watts. The couple was found in their bedroom around 4 a.m. No one has been arrested, but Watts’ ex-boyfriend, Wendell Jones, was questioned and released. The investigation is ongoing.
JULY 5—Christopher Brandyburg, a 32-year-old Black male from Beaver Falls, was shot to death inside a minivan in the Lincoln-Lemington section of the city. He and another passenger in the vehicle were killed. Police have arrested and charged Allan Moorefield, another passenger with homicide, firearms violation and conspiracy. Authorities are still looking for the driver.
JULY 5—William Walker, a 34-year-old Black male from Beaver Falls, was the other passenger in the minivan who was shot. Police arrested Allan Moorefield and charged him with homicide, firearms violation and conspiracy. The driver of the vehicle is still at large.
JULY 7—Andrew Kane, a 25-year-old Black male from Monroeville, was fatally shot outside his Garden City home in the 400 Block of Fieldstone Drive, while exiting his vehicle in the early morning. Occupants of a PT Cruiser drove up to Kane and began firing shots. Someone heard and called the police. As they arrived the car took off, and a chase ensued through Monroeville, Penn Hills and Wilkinsburg. Kane was later taken to Forbes Regional Hospital, where he died. The shooters got away, but the police recovered the vehicle. The investigation is ongoing.
JULY 11—James Simms, a 31-year-old Black male from East Liberty, was shot in the head between 519 and 521 North Euclid Avenue in East Liberty. Neighbors said they heard a brief argument and then shots. Simms was taken to UPMC Presbyterian, where he later died. No arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing.
JULY 13—Brian Lee, an 18-year-old Black male of West Mifflin, was fatally shot during a robbery at Damon's Restaurant at the Waterfront Complex in West Homestead. He and another employee were closing the restaurant for the evening when a male entered the building. Lee was shot and taken to UPMC Presbyterian where he later died. No one has been arrested or charged. The investigation is ongoing.
JULY 16—Deon Smith, a 22-year-old Black male from Homewood, was fatally shot outside his apartment building in the 800 Block of North Braddock Avenue. Smith was sitting outside with friends when a gunman came up and shot him. He was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where he later died. No arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing.
JULY 18—Kia Johnson, an 18-year-old Black female from McKeesport, was found dead in a Wilkinsburg apartment, with her abdomen and uterus sliced, a bag over her head and bound. Police found her after a Andrea Curry-Demus went to West Penn Hospital with a newborn baby whose umbilical cord was still attached. After tests, physicians found that it was not her baby and called the authorities. They found Johnson’s body in Curry-Demus’ apartment. They arrested her. She is awaiting trial.
JULY 19—Robert Barnes, a 20-year-old Black male from Sheraden, was shot and killed in Foot Mobile Retail Store, at 649 Hillsboro Street in Sheraden, after an argument broke out. Barnes was shot in the torso. No suspects have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing.
JULY 20—Shawneal Boggus, a 21-year-old Black male from the Hill District, was fatally shot in 2005 on Chauncey Drive. He was shot in the trunk and the bullet traveled to the spine causing him to be paralyzed. He died of complications from the gunshot and being paralyzed.
JULY 22—Jason Glenn, a 31-year-old White male from McKees Rocks, was shot in the chest, at the intersection of Sandusky and Hemlock streets on the North Side, after an argument over an iPod music player. Glenn was taken to Allegheny General Hospital where he later died. Police have arrested and charged Darin Davis with homicide and theft by unlawful taking. Davis is awaiting his scheduled preliminary trial.
JULY 22—Dennis Geary, a 43-year-old White male from Sutersville, Westmoreland County, was fatally shot at the Palisades Manor Apartment Complex in Rankin and then drove himself to the Rankin police station for help. He was taken to UPMC Mercy where he later died. No one has been charged, but an award has been offered for information that leads to a conviction. The investigation is ongoing.
JULY 25—Robert Brown, a 27-year-old Black male from Allentown, was fatally shot in the chest outside of Club VIP II on the 2400 block of Webster Avenue in the Hill District. The shooting occurred as a result of an argument inside of the bar. Brown died at the scene. No one has been charged with the homicide. The investigation is ongoing.
JULY 26—Robert Moorefield, a 19-year-old Black male from the North Side, was shot in the 2100 block of Rhine Street in the Spring Hill area. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital where he later died. No suspects have been charged with his death. The investigation is ongoing.
JULY 29—Jonathan Banks, a 24-year-old Black male from Wilkinsburg, was fatally shot on Princeton Boulevard in Wilkinsburg after he reportedly refused to give a man a ride. The two men argued and then Banks was shot and killed. After a search, police arrested and charged Ricco Turner with the homicide.
JULY 30—Vincent Terry, a 55-year-old Black male from East Liberty, was shot outside the East Liberty Garden Apartments complex when he was caught in the crossfire of a gun battle. Terry was then run over multiple times. Terry had been disposing a cardboard box when he was shot. He was the maintenance man of the complex. He was taken to UPMC Presbyterian where he later died. No suspects have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing.
JULY 30—Jomo Griffin, a 29-year-old Black male from Arlington, was shot in the torso on Spring Street in Arlington during a drive-by. Police believe it was in retaliation for a previous incident. No suspects have been charged. The investigation is ongoing.
JULY 31—Keith Grace, a 43-year-old Black male from Maryland, was shot to death inside a vehicle while talking to Freeman Mitchell when two men came from a wooded area and began shooting. Both men died at the scene. No one has been charged with the homicides. The investigation is ongoing.
JULY 31—Freeman Mitchell, a 45-year-old Black male from Wilkinsburg, was shot outside a vehicle while talking to Keith Grace. Two men came from a nearby wooded area and shot both men. Mitchell and Grace died at the scene. No suspects have been identified or charged. The investigation is ongoing.
January Homicides (14)
JAN. 7—Shawn Robinson, a 32-year-old Black male from the Hill District, was shot after an argument ensued when two men forced their way into an apartment at 2109 Elmore Square. No suspects have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 9—Vernon Hayden, a 71-year-old white male from Elizabeth Township, was found after being reported missing weeks ago. It is not known when he actually died. The cause of death was a gunshot wound and blunt force trauma to the head. Hayden’s step-grandson, Timothy Large, has been arrested and charged with homicide. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing and is awaiting trial.
JAN. 11—Paris Tatum, an 18-year-old Black male from the Hill District, was fatally shot in the chest on Elmore Street when a white sedan pulled up, men got out and shot Tatum. He ran to a store owned by his aunt and was taken to UPMC Presbyterian where he later died. A warrant has been issued for Orlando Hamilton, 18. He has not been arrested yet. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 13—Randy Edwards, a 26-year-old Black male from North Braddock, was shot multiple times on Ridge Avenue during a burglary. He was taken to Mercy Hospital, where he later died. An arrest warrant has been issued for Bryant Jones, 20. He is being charged with homicide, burglary and robbery. The suspect is still at large.
JAN. 15—Martha Hucko, a 61-year-old white female from Brentwood, was found dead in her home on Colonial Park Drive, along with her husband, when police were called to the residents after relatives were unable to reach the couple. Reportedly, there were no incidents of foul play and she was found to have needle marks on her arm. Police are unsure if they took their own life or were killed. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 18—Robert Kennedy, a 29-year-old Black male from West Mifflin, was found dead at the scene in his van with multiple gunshots at the 400 block of B-Street in West Mifflin Estates apartment complex. A warrant has been issued for Andre Berry of Duquesne. He is charged with criminal homicide, armed robbery, and witness intimidation. Berry is still at large.
JAN. 21—Richard Revis, a 71-year-old Black male from Mt. Oliver, was found dead in his home in the 300 block of Hays Avenue, with stab wounds. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 22—Michael Tatalovich, a 20-year-old white male from Aliquippa, was fatally shot at the Settler’s Place Apartment in North Fayette. Tatalovich was an economics major at Robert Morris University. Police have arrested H. Paul Visnansky, who confessed to killing Tatalovich and another when he found them in his girlfriend’s apartment. He also seriously injured his girlfriend. Visnansky is awaiting trial.
JAN. 22—Jonathan Gilbert, a 22-year-old white male who attended Robert Morris University, was fatally shot when Visnansky also found Gilbert at his girlfriend’s apartment. Gilbert was an elementary education major at the school. Visnansky is awaiting trial.
JAN. 23—James Penn, a 30-year-old Black male from Wilkinsburg, was shot multiple times in front of the Second Time Around Bar in Homestead. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 25—Raymonn Gilmore, a 24-year-old Black male from Clairton, was fatally shot in the chest outside of a local bar, the Sportman’s Bar and Grill, on State Street in Clairton. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died. No suspects have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 26—Gemayel Keen Jr., a 23-year-old Black male from Pittsburgh, died of a gunshot wound to the chest in a McDonald’s parking lot in the Strip District. He was taken to UPMC Mercy, where he later died. No suspects have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 28—Jolsea Barber, a 12-year-old Black female from Brighton Heights, was struck when gunmen opened fire into a house where she was visiting her sister with her mother. She was taken to Allegheny General Hospital, where she later died. Police found about 40 shots. Anthony “Tone Bone” Wilson, 30, and Michael Gist, 15, were arrested and charged with homicide and aggravated assault. Gist was also charged with conspiracy. Police suspect that gang retaliation might be the cause of the shooting. Both suspects are awaiting trial.
JAN. 29—Ernest Tolliver, a 15-year-old Black male from Homewood, was shot in the neck, while in the drive-thru of the Kentucky Fried Chicken parking lot in the 7200 block of Frankstown Road. He was taken to UPMC Presbyterian, where he was later pronounced dead. No suspects have been named. The investigation is ongoing.
February Homicides (4)
FEB. 9—Gary Dennison, a 64-year-old white male from Coraopolis, was shot to death by an Allegheny County police officer in the 100 block of South Patton Drive, when he tried to use his vehicle as a weapon when failing to pull over for a traffic violation. The officer has remained unidentified, but an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
FEB. 25—Lori Robinson, a 43-year-old white female from Lawrenceville, was fatally shot to death with a rifle by her live in boyfriend, William Bowcock, in their apartment over the Partners Bar, on 46th Street in Lawrenceville. Bowcock called the police to report the incident and then shot himself. The case has been ruled a murder-suicide.
FEB. 25—Geno Crenshaw, a 30-year-old Black male from Mt. Washington, was fatally stabbed in the chest by his live in girlfriend at their home in the 400 block of Kingsboro Street, after a domestic incident. He was taken to UPMC Mercy, where he later died. Patrice Rogers has been arrested and charged with criminal homicide. She is still awaiting trial.
FEB. 27—Cheryl Wilds, a 47-year-ol Black female from the North Side, was found dead in her Shadyside Nursing Rehabilitation Center room after being in a comma since November when she had been shot by her son’s friend. Jayquan Massey, 18, was charged with attempted homicide when he hit Wilds, while shooting at an SUV, when she stepped off the bus with her Thanksgiving groceries. Charges will be amended since Wilds has passed. He is still awaiting trial.
March Homicides (11)
MARCH 1—Marvin Hayden, a 29-year-old Black male from the North Side, was accidentally shot in the neck and chest by a Yellow Cab driver after he reportedly tried to rob the driver in the Hill District after being picked up Downtown. When Harden tried to rob him, the driver pulled out his licensed weapon and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, Harden was shot and the driver was hit in the arm. No charges have been filed against the driver.
MARCH 10—Anthony Johnson Jr., a 31-year-old Black male from Wilkinsburg, was fatally shot in the chest in the Uptown area. He was later found on 33 Pride St., near the UPMC Mercy Hospital emergency room. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No suspects have been named. The case is still under investigation.
MARCH 12—Dion McIntosh, a 27-year-old Black male from the Strip District, was killed after being shot outside the Manteca Bar at Monterey and Jacksonia streets on the North Side when he was at the bar with his brother. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No suspects have been named. The case is still under investigation.
MARCH 14—Kemoy Crawford, a 19-year-old Black male of Pittsburgh, was found shot and burned on Arbor and Point View streets in East Liberty. Firefighters received a call about a fire in a small dumping site. When they arrived they found a male body burned under a pile of debris. After the autopsy, Crawford was found to be shot and was recently identified. No suspects have been named.
MARCH 15—Tracy Lang, a 41-year-old white female of Pitcairn, was found shot to death in the parking lot of Don Pablo’s Restaurant in Monroeville by her husband, John Lang. She was shot after reportedly being seen kissing Louis Goldenson, a friend of the couple. They were all volunteer firefighters. Lang confessed and is awaiting trial for charges of homicide.
MARCH 15—Louis Goldenson, a 37-year-old white male from Pitcairn, was shot and killed when his friend, John Lang, reportedly found him kissing Lang’s wife, Tracy, at a restaurant. Lang is awaiting trial for charges of homicide.
MARCH 21—Angel Manguel, a 40-year-old Black male from East Liberty, was found shot at the intersection of 29th Street and Penn Avenue in the Strip District. Manguel was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where he later died. The case is still under investigation.
MARCH 23—David Price, a 30-year-old white male from Clairfield County, was shot by police officers after he threw dirt and rocks at their unmarked car when they stopped to get fuel. When officers began to approach Price, he reportedly pulled out a handgun and shot one of them in the back. Police fired back and shot Price in the arms, chest, stomach and back. He was hit with seven bullets. He later died after being taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital for surgery. No charges have been brought against the officers.
MARCH 23—Shawnta Lee, a 40-year-old Black female from Clairton, was shot, along with her husband, in their Baker Avenue home. James Garland Watts, reportedly entered their home and shot them. She was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital, where she later died. Her husband was in critical condition, but has since been upgraded. An arrest warrant has been issued for Watts’ arrest. The investigation is ongoing.
MARCH 27—Richard White, a 23-year-old Black male from the North Side, was found face down in a parking lot in the 1300 block of Juniata Street in Manchester after police responded to a call about shots being fired across the street from a school. He had been shot three times and was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is believed to be gang related. No suspects have been named and the investigation is ongoing.
MARCH 30—John Allen, a 22-year-old Black male from Homewood, was fatally shot after an argument had begun when he tried to enter Mac Can Do’s Bar in Homewood after being banned. He was shot in the neck and taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where he later died. No arrests have been made and the case is ongoing.
April Homicides (6)
APRIL 11—David Freeman Jr., a 34-year-old Black male from McKees Rocks, was shot in the head on Grant Street, Downtown, while he was a passenger in a vehicle with two other friends after leaving a club in the Strip District. It is suspected to be gang related. In 1998 Freeman was involved in an unrelated incident where he and another person were charged with criminal homicide. However, charges were dropped when witnesses failed to show up at the preliminary hearing. This investigation is ongoing.
APRIL 11—Dustin Tolliver, an 18-year-old Black male from Lincoln-Lemington, was shot and killed when a retired police officer found him and two others in the middle of a burglary at the officer’s daughter’s home in the 6400 block of Apple Street. One person escaped and the other was wounded and was listed in critical condition. The officer has turned in his gun and permit until the end of the investigation.
APRIL 19—Kholen Germany, a 12-year-old Black male from Wilkinsburg, was struck with a stray bullet during a gun fight in the 100 block of Wood Street in Wilkinsburg, at the Head 2 Toe clothing store. He ran into the store to seek safety and was hit. He was taken to UMPC Children’s Hospital where he later died. Donald Wilson has been arrested and charged with firing toward the store. Police are searching for a second suspect. The investigation is ongoing.
APRIL 20—Darrell Nelson, a 26-year-old Black male from Monroeville, was found shot in a Hill District apartment in the 2500 block of Chauncey Drive and taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital, where he later died. Police are questioning a juvenile.
APRIL 22—Aaron Jenkins, a 37-year-old Black male from East Hills, was off duty as a state constable, when he was shot outside Club 22 Rendezvous in Homewood when he and another person were walking to their car. It does not seem to be a job related incident. The investigation is ongoing.
APRIL 23—Shaelon Henderson, a 20-year-old Black male from Hazelwood, was fatally stabbed during an argument in front of his home on Almeda Street. He was taken to UPMC Presbyterian hospital, where he later died. Police have charged Lawrence Davis Jr. with homicide. It is unknown what the argument was about.
May Homicides (6)
MAY 6—Justin Jackson, a 19-year-old Black male from Arlington, was fatally shot and killed by a Pittsburgh police officer after he reportedly shot a K-9 officer. Jackson was reported as walking down the street with his hands concealed under his jacket. When the officer told him to take his hand from out of his pocket, he saw the gun and released the K-9. Jackson then shot the K-9 and the officer shot him. The officer has not been identified and the incident is still under investigation.
MAY 10—Maurice Wright, an 18-year-old Black male from the Hill District, was shot multiple times near the Terrace Village Housing projects in the 2100 block of Bentley Drive in the Hill District. He suffered wounds to the head and chest. There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.
MAY 18—Robert McCary, a 30-year-old Black male of East Liberty, was gunned down while riding a motorized scooter in Garfield, along Rosetta Street. A witness reported that two individuals in a vehicle approached McCary; he was shot several times in the face and head after a confrontation. In 2004, McCary was convicted of conspiracy and third-degree murder in the 2002 murder of James Adams. McCary and another person gunned down Adams outside of a restaurant in Garfield, two blocks from Rosetta Street. No suspects have been arrested and the case is still under investigation.
MAY 23—Nang Nguyen, a 46-year-old Asian male from Oakland, was shot and killed by a Pittsburgh police officer after a confrontation with his landlord. Police were called to Atwood Street in Oakland, because of a dispute between Nguyen and his landlord. It was reported that while the officer was taking the landlord's statement, Nguyen came out the building waving a meat cleaver. After several commands to drop the weapon, Nguyen approached the officer and he was shot. Eric Tatusko, the officer, has been placed on paid leave and the incident is under investigation.
MAY 24—Radee Berry, a 25-year-old Black male from Braddock, was found shot and dead on Birch Way in Braddock. Police found evidence of an assault rifle battle on the street. Police have named David Fitzgerald as a suspect and have issued an arrest warrant for him. The investigation is ongoing.
MAY 29—Lisa Maas, an 18-year-old white female from Erie, was found stabbed to death in her Shadyside apartment, by another tenant. Police were responding to a disturbance call in the Hampshire Hall Apartments, when they saw Terrance Andrews leaving the victim's apartment covered in blood with a cut on his head. They checked the apartment and found Maas dead. Andrews was then arrested. Scissors and a knife were found in his pocket. Andrews reportedly had a conversation with Maas that day, waited for her to return home, knocked on her door and then stabbed her. She tried to defend herself, but could not. Andrews has been charged with criminal homicide.
June Homicides (9)
JUNE 3—Leroy Hughes, a 29-year-old Black male from McKeesport, was fatally shot during an altercation with his neighbor, Thomas Davis Jr. in the 1200 Block of Evans Street in McKeesport. Reportedly, after the argument Davis went and got a gun and fired a dozen rounds into Hughes. He died on the way to UPMC McKeesport. A warrant has been issued for Davis, but he has not been caught. The investigation is ongoing.
JUNE 6—Marcia Poston, a 10-month-old Black female from Garfield, was killed while at Bray’s Family Day Care at 513 Dearborn St. in Garfield. A 7-year-old took Poston from her baby seat and repeatedly threw her on a carpeted cement basement floor, while the baby-sitter was upstairs. She suffered severe head injuries and was taken to Children’s Hospital where she died. As of now, the 7-year-old will not face charges and the owners of the facility could face charges of endangering a child’s welfare. Since the incident, the day care center has closed.
JUNE 7—Troy White, a 32-year-old Black male from McKees Rocks, was killed when he was sitting outside an apartment complex in Elmore Square in the Hill District. A man reportedly came up behind him and fired multiple shots into his back. No arrests have been made. Three weeks prior to the homicide, White had been released from jail for charges of aggravated assault and gun charges. The investigation is ongoing.
JUNE 12—Rodney Clinton, a 33-year-old Black male from Penn Hills, was fatally shot while in his vehicle near the Laketon Gardens apartments on Frankstown Avenue. The shooter fled the scene and hit another car in the Get-Go gas station parking lot. As the victim began to lose consciousness, he stepped on the accelerator and drove into bushes. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
JUNE 15—Raymond Reese, a 15-year-old Black female from Mt. Oliver, was fatally shot in the chest during a drive-by shooting at a home at 78 Pasadena St. in Mt. Washington. Two guns were fired at the home that was occupied by individuals at a party. Reese was pronounced dead at the scene and two others were seriously wounded. Jesse Robinson III was shot and is paralyzed. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
JUNE 16—Kenneth Woods, a 30-year-old Black male from the Hill District, was shot multiple times at the corner of Bentley Drive and Nigh Way in the Hill District. He was taken to UPMC Presbyterian, where he later died. Timothy Williams of the North Side has been arraigned on charges of homicide, aggravated assault and weapons violation. He is currently awaiting trial.
JUNE 19—Brandon Alton, a 23-year-old Black male from Arlington, was shot during a dispute at Sonny’s Place on Shiloh Street in Mt. Washington. A fight broke out between Alton, his friends and a group of other men. During the fight, Alton was shot. He was taken to UPMC Presbyterian where he died. No one has been arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
JUNE 21—Bryan Akers, a 21-year-old white male from Etna, was stabbed to death after an altercation with Shaun Raisor at a concrete plant in Penn Hills. After the altercation, Akers began to walk away but Raisor repeatedly stabbed him in the back with a knife. He then dragged the body to a hole and dumped concrete over it. Then he drove Aker’s truck to a secluded area and set it on fire. When Akers was reported missing, police used his cell phone records to lead them to Raisor. He confessed and led them to the body. Raisor has been arraigned on charges of homicide, arson, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse.
JUNE 28—Brendon Brooks, a 38-year-old Black male from the East End, was shot outside of Eat ’n Park Restaurant in the Waterfront Mall, Homestead. He was taken to UPMC Mercy, where he later died of gunshot wounds to the trunk. The investigation is ongoing.
