Family Of Strip District Shooting Victim Speaks Out

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The mother of a 27-year-old woman killed near a night club in the Strip District hopes her daughter's death sends a message.

Family members say Shateecha Roach was a loving mother of two children, including a 7-week-old daughter, and a school board employee who cared for handicapped children.

Roach's mother, Edna Roach, is making plans for a funeral.

"These babies have to grow up without their mom," Edna said. "And I have to be without my daughter. This is the second child that I've lost, but through the grace of God, He saw me through."

Edna's son, James Roach, was killed on New Year's Day 17 years ago.

Shateecha Roach was killed while getting into her car while leaving a shooting incident at the Fever Night Club in the Strip District.

Two men were wounded inside the club. Another person was grazed by a bullet.

Edna Roach believes her daughter's death will change the community.

"I know that people's minds and hearts are going to be changed through her life that she lost - people are going to be changed," Roach said. "It was a sacrifice. She was sacrificed – chosen for a purpose for such a time as this."

Edna is asking people to put down the weapons and not let her daughter's death be in vain.

"Anybody who knows anything about this shooting that happened at that Fever Club – I'll say the Devil's Hole – please come forward so that we can have peace," she said.

Julian Pinkett, the father of Shateecha's two children, cradled their newborn daughter.

"Cowardly act, man, senseless," he said. "I just want them to come forward. She needs justice."

Monday morning, the Allegheny County District Attorney gave the owner of the Fever Club an ultimatum – either shut down or he'll get a court order and have the business padlocked as a nuisance bar.

The night club has since closed.

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