Final 3 Victims Of Wilkinsburg Mass Shooting Laid To Rest

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The final three victims of the shootings in Wilkinsburg were laid to rest Tuesday.

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at The Lighthouse Cathedral in Mount Oliver for Chanetta Powell, Brittany Powell and Jerry Shelton.

They were killed when two gunmen opened fire at a barbecue earlier this month.

The three caskets were lined side-by-side in the sanctuary Tuesday as several hundred family members and friends came to pay final respects to 25-year-old Chanetta, 27-year-old Brittany and 36-year-old Jerry.

Chanetta was eight months pregnant when she was murdered. Her unborn son was placed next to her in the casket.

"It's devastating that someone could not only take a life, but take a life who is going to birth a life," said Tiffani Monique, of Stop The Killing, Embrace Life. "People are just the cold-hearted or that evil a person."

Those laid to rest today were among five people killed by two gunmen who fired up to 40 shots during a backyard cookout.

Funerals were held last week for 25-year-old Shada Mahone and 36-year-old Tina Shelton.

Pastor Maurice Trent told the church today that once and for all, the violence has to stop.

"We as a community can no longer be deaf, dumb, and blind, and we have to speak up when we see things," he said. "We have to say what we saw. We can stop this; we have to be the ones to do it."

During the service, children of the victims spoke about their loss. The children will grow up without a parent.

Pastor Trent has been by the family's side since the shootings happened. He offered them words of hope and love as they begin the long and difficult healing process.

"When you're going through this, you really don't start mourning until everything is over, so it's our job not to forget about this family, but to continue to give them support, prayer and another kind of help they need," he said.

The Allegheny County Police Department, The Borough of Wilkinsburgh Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) are all involved in the investigation. Anyone with additional information about the shooting is asked to call the ATF Hotline at: 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867), or send them an email at: ATFTips@atf.gov.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter