It started as a backyard barbecue like you can find in any American suburb. It ended after gunmen turned the party into a massacre.
Two gunmen working as a team fatally shot five people and critically wounded two others at a suburban Pittsburgh cookout, with one attacker using a high-velocity rifle to shoot all the victims in the head as they were driven in his direction, a prosecutor said Thursday.
“The murders were planned. They were calculated, brutal,” District Attorney Stephen Zappala said.
The gunmen appeared to have targeted one or two of the victims, said Zappala, who added that they hadn’t ruled out drugs as a motive.
Four women, one of them pregnant, and a man were killed as they rushed toward the back porch and an alleyway to seek cover as a gunman fired a .40-caliber pistol at as many as 15 adults who were playing cards and having a late-night cookout in the yard.
That steered the victims toward the rear porch and door of the house, where an accomplice armed with a 7.62 mm rifle similar to an AK-47 shot them from behind a chain-link fence less than 10 feet from the porch, Zappala said.
Neither weapon has been found.
The man with the rifle aimed high throughout the barrage of bullets. Four of the dead were found on the tiny back porch.
“They were all head shots,” Zappala said.
The dead included three siblings, Brittany Powell, 27, who lived at the home; Jerry Shelton, 35; and Chanetta Powell, 25. The other two were Shada Mahone, 26, and Tina Shelton, 37.
Zappala said Brittany Powell was pregnant and due to give birth in May.
“It looks like right now they were all fleeing toward the back door of the residence when the second gunman fired from the side of the yard,” said Lt. Andrew Schurman of the Allegheny County homicide unit. “They all seemed to get caught on the back porch.”
Carl Morris and his son, Robert, were getting ready to leave their house across the street when they heard a volley of three shots, a pause, then gunfire lasting more than a minute.
Robert Morris said he saw children run onto the small back porch and heard someone scream, “Mommy, Mommy!”
“It was terrible,” the younger Morris said.
The Morrises said Brittany Powell lived at the home with a daughter who was about 6 or 7. They said the house was considered a “safe haven” in the neighborhood.
The backyard is about 30 feet by 50 feet. Police said they found one pile of shell casings just outside the yard in an alley, where they believe the .40-caliber pistol was fired, Zappala said. They found more shells along a fence that separates the house from a neighbor’s yard, which is where Zappala said the rifle was fired.
Bullet holes were visible Thursday around the porch addition. Tables and chairs, some tipped over, remained in the backyard, signs of a party quickly abandoned.
The suspects then left on foot.
Neighbors described the street on which the shooting occurred as generally quiet and expressed shock.
Resident Kayla Alexander told WPXI-TV that she heard a barrage of gunshots — more than 20.
After the shooting, groups of residents gathered on the street, some of them sobbing and saying they lost family members.
James Boyd, 70, has lived in a home three doors away from the shooting for 24 years. He told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the gunfire “went on for almost a minute.”
“I thought it was maybe the pipes bursting. But then we realized it was gunshots,” Boyd said.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
JH says
More Inner City nonsense. Don’t know why anyone is surprised………………
Tra says
The article said suburb. This is just a comment to try to say it was black people . so racist.
Arlene Cole says
Take the huge chip off your shoulder Tra. JH said absolutely nothing that can be considered racist, so stop trying to blow this up into something it’s not.
bell says
Get a life. I am so sick of people who disagree with anyone starting the ” you are racist”. That is total garbage. I don’t think that was the intent in the statement. You must be a racist to try and twist it to your view!
Moon says
People naturally assume, in accordance with current events. Was this another black on black shooting, another Islamic Terrorist attack, or was it another Right wing, gun crazed, not job, clinging to their guns and religion? OH WAIT, the mass shootings of the past 7 years have all, been perpetrated by Left leaning mental patients, who were taking Psychotropic drugs, for anxiety. OMG! Oh well, we can still shout racism, when we need to feel morally, superior.
James Heide says
It is nonsense to even allow this to happen. Law ought to go out on a manhunt and hunt them down like they did those people. This foolishness needs to stop. Bring back the death penalty and start electrocuting them or giving them needles one by one or even yet a firing squad. Then maybe this crap will stop. Can not even have fun in your own house or back yard. Stop this senseless killings by taking lives for lives.
Kenvilkid says
Apparently, black lives don’t matter to blacks, who’d a thought.
Roy Fredrichsen says
Yeah! How is it that when a black, caught in a crime, gets shot by a white is an excuse for rioting and destroying property of innocents, all in the name of “Black lives matter” except when they murder each other which is apparently O.K.?
PattieA says
Amen – couldn’t have said better myself.
Bill says
Illegal immigrant. Again!!!
William Sampson says
Gangs. They are going to destroy our country
Jr says
Wjo said they were black
PattieA says
Did you not see the pictures??
Saundra says
I re-read the article after reading the comments and can’t find any mention of race. Perhaps the video indicates such, but my computer video isn’t working.
Tra says
The article never said they were blaxk, so why are you assuming they were. That in itself is a racist comment. Black lives matter and white lives matter and brown lives matter and red
Ives matter ALL lives matter
Moon says
I agree that black, white, red brown, yellow lives matter, but don’t say that to the “Black Lives Matter,” crowd, or you will know what it feels like to be labeled a RACIST.
Lois Wenk says
True or they would not support Donald Trump. I do not see any of them confronting the ones who do.
Trump is a bigot
1. Trump hates women – look haw he treated Magyn Kelly, Pregnant reporter who fainted, and Carly F
2. Trump hates Blacks – Trump Enterprizes under his watch had segregated housing,
– Trump buys politicians for his own benefit this is slavery
3. Trump hates Hispanics – Border crossers are mostly poor people wanting to shelter, feed and clothe their children. They are not rapist (rapist harm people sexually). They are not Drug Cartel (Drug cartel sell drugs and kill people). They are not terrorist (terrorist kill people).
4. Trump hates Asian people – Chinese and Japanese do not control N Korea. N Korea’s dictator does.
5. Trump hates Jews – “Hitler was right”. Hitler’s claim to fame is scapegoating Jews for Germany’s problems. Then systematically killing them. Trump follows the pattern of Hitler including brainwashing and playing on hatred.
6. Trump hates Muslims – Trump treats Muslim like Hitler did Jews. American Muslims are mostly good citizens. ISIS are (a compound word) Radical – Islamic – Terrorist. RIT kill both non Muslims and Muslims who believe differently than themselves. Mislabeling the enemy is only setting us up for loosing the war.
7. Trump hates constitutional rights – Picking on Religious groups is unconstitutional.
– Natural born citizen means either a person born on American soil or having a parent who is a citizen.
8. Trump slanders everyone even his own “If I shoot some one my followers would not leave me”. That is arrogant. Trump’s supporters can not be all like that.
9. Trump is spoiled rotten – His supporters belittle people who put him down, Trumpsters slander that same person.
10. Trump throws Temper Tantrums – When he does not get his way he slanders and makes insinuations of being less than acceptable. Trump when confronted does the same thing. Trump treats his competitors the same way.
11. Trump is a bully – slandering and belittling are his tools of bullying.
12. Trump uses not PC as an excuse for disrespect. PC is politically CORRECT not polite. Ben Carson is not PC while being respectful.
13. Trump is the king of Liberals. He only started being not Liberal when he ran for president.
14. Trump says what Americans want to hear and does his own thing.
15. England voted whether they should ban him. Not good to have allies reject president.
jon says
Trump is better than Hillary
Arlene Cole says
are you sure about that?
Karl Stecher says
Besides the errors of your mnay statements of what you consider to be fact…you do not have a clue as to what natural born citizen means. It is certainly not what you claim.
Michael Bowles says
Lois Winke, You’re an idiot..
bill says
You ignorant woman. We’re talking about a shooting, not Donald Trump
J. Smith says
Lois, you are delusional. None of what you say is true. Stop drinking the kool aid and check your statements. They are wrong.
William Sampson says
That’s what’s so great about our country we have a right to vote for who we like I myself like trumpI believe he can bring jobs back to this country he’s a businessman business is business he is the best at it I’m sick and tired of this black lives matter all lives matter we need to concentrate on things they are destroying our country our communities people live in fear those who can get out do those who can’t are trapped
William Sampson says
Gangs should all be classified as terrorists and dealt with in such manner
Moon says
LOL, Lois….. I bet you voted for Slick Willie and I bet you’d vote for Killary, before you’d vote for any conservative candidate.
hunter 1 says
It would not surprise me they were Probably hired by the Obama administration to keep things “going” so he can continue to push his anti-gun agenda.
S Pet says
Yep, wouldn’t surprise a lot of people that this is another Obama gun grab attempt. Just as things quiet down, up pops another “madman” with a gun. I have actually heard of CIA brainwashing and wondered if that isn’t occurring in some of these instances, since the person usually doesn’t know why they did it in the first place, up to that point have been completely normal, or they die in the mishap, then they are never heard from again. No tinfoil hat for me just a thought.
Arlene Cole says
all I know is that there have never been as many ‘mass’ shootings at any other time until obama cam along.
kevin says
That is probably very accurate.
RALPH NEWTON says
Drugs or gambling debt.Backyard barbecue.Thats not a likely target of a random shooting by two gunmen.
Justin W says
Hopefully the murderers will be found and prosecuted. This is one of those times where a large reward is offered in hopes that someone will sell the shooters out for some easy cash. The death penalty needs to be on the table for these murderers.
David says
Isis converts? Lots of recruitment efforts going on in the “black community”.
Jugbuster says
That’s where they find all the stupidity for the armed forces too ! ! ! Huh !
bill says
FU
Donna L says
????what a horrible & tragic outcome for all involved in this evening of fellowship. God bless your nation & people! ????????????????
stevenl says
Deranged? Who are they? Under BHO, color, sex, belief system, affiliation etc CANNOT be revealed! Criminals MUST be protected but not the peaceful citizens. This is Social Justice Made in Obama LAND.
Jugbuster says
Yea, he’s turning this country into a wasteland. I doesn’t help at all I know but “I didn’t vote for his ars ! ! ! “
Lois Wenk says
Do not vote for his team mates in trouble. D Trump and H Clinton. Berney Sanders is a Socialist who believes what he says so he is not purposely like they are do not Socialist either. Just wanted to let you know BS is mistaken not lying on purpose, do not vote for him. He does not believe in God so he does not pretend to be God.
bill says
Lois – take your fucking meds
Arlene Cole says
Leave your cursing at home – it’s disrespectful to the rest of us. thank you.
Peter says
Bill. Thanks! I laughed for a minute.
Cleo says
Please be quiet! This article is not about you and your beliefs! These poor people were murdered in cold blood! Have a care! Lord have Mercy!
YourCyberGodSays says
Your Cyber God Says: “The Starting Place” for a “Human’s Lifestyle” of LOVE or HATE, starts when pregnancy starts. … IT KNOWS NO RACE OR GENDER, … It has no preconceived disposition of Love or Hate, … It depends 100% on the influence of responsible adults and, society to guide it toward a lifetime, lifestyle, of Love or Hate. The seed of Love or Hate in a baby grows straight or crooked throughout it’s young life, similar to the sapling of a beautiful Oak Tree, … It needs nurturing and support to grow straight and prevent it from growing crooked. It is the responsibility of all people to help it grow in the direction of Love and, away from Hate, starting with Parents & Relatives and continuing with others i.e., … Neighbors, Teachers , Social Life, Police, Military, etc. etc. This spirit of “Help” is incumbent upon all of us who care about the civility of our country, … BE A “HELPER”, … View more at web site: YourCyberGodSays. Hopefully, these hateful criminals will be brought to justice.
Burns says
Trump will get the job done or do you want to keep on our same path. People are living off the tit of the United States and this has to stop we cannot afford these actions people need work Donald Trump will create jobs he’s a businessman and he will get the jobs brought back to the United States
Jim D says
These snakes were apparently known by at least one of the participants of the BBQ, It is very clear they are the lowest of cowards that crawl on the surface of the earth, and should be exterminated from any gene pool.
Mike E. says
I have come to the conclusion that Lois Wenk must be getting paid to slander Trump on every site that may have comment readers. Nothing she says is true so she seems to be the type that would try to make herself a big name when Trump wins by standing in a crowd with a small pistol. I would guess the FBI feels the same and may already have her being watched. Idiot liers like her are whats wrong with our country.