Six people were killed and three others injured in a shooting on Wednesday night in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.
Vigil being held at the scene of the shooting in Wilkinsburg to pray for the victims and their families. #WPXI pic.twitter.com/LYzFF9mERm
— Gordon Loesch (@WPXIGordon) March 10, 2016
Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene and one was pronounced dead at UPMC Mercy hospital in Pittsburgh.
Three of the fatal victims were siblings —Brittany Powell, 27; Chanetta Powell, 25; and Jerry Shelton, 35. The other two were Tina Shelton, 37; and Shada Malone, 35.
The sixth death was Chanetta’s unborn child, which was ruled as homicide by the medical examiner. Chanetta was eight months pregnant. Pennsylvania has a fetal homicide law to prosecute any degree of murder of an unborn child.
Jessica Shelton the mother of three of the victims killed says her grandchild may have witnessed shooting #WPXI pic.twitter.com/1kYdRsxZAu
— Damany (@DamanyLEWIS) March 10, 2016
The shooting took place at a backyard party just before 11 p.m. on Wednesday night. Two gunmen are believed to have fired from an alley at the back of the home, according to police.
During a press conference Thursday afternoon, Alleghany County Police Superintendent Charles Moffatt identified the two weapons used — a .40-caliber handgun and an AK-47 — neither of which have been found.
Moffatt said that no one is in custody at this time and that there are no firm suspects.
REPLAY: News conference: Police discuss investigation of Wilkinsburg #BackyardAmbush murders https://t.co/1qMdgx0gCZ pic.twitter.com/C90Z2vsMca
— WTAE-TV Pittsburgh (@WTAE) March 10, 2016
While a motive for the shooting is still not officially known, District Attorney Stephen Zappala said, “The murders were planned. They were calculated.”
A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.
ATF, County Police announce $20,000 reward for info on Wilkinsburg shooting; read more: https://t.co/TWA1NYafaR. pic.twitter.com/gW4ki36IdR
— Allegheny County (@Allegheny_Co) March 10, 2016
