16-Year-Old Dead After Shooting In Beltzhoover
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A 16-year-old boy has died following a shooting Thursday evening in Pittsburgh's Beltzhoover neighborhood.
The shooting happened after 7 p.m. in front of the Sheffield Funeral Home near the corner of Beltzhoover Avenue and Climax Street.
The funeral home was closed at the time of the incident.
Sources tell KDKA that the victim is identified as Deondre Pace.
Police cordoned off the street Thursday evening looking for shell casings and evidence as homicide detectives canvassed the neighborhood searching for possible witnesses.
"When Zone 3 police officers arrived, they found a 16-year-old boy lying on the side or in the street in front of the funeral home and he sustained at least two gunshot wounds to his upper torso," said Lt. Dan Herrmann, of Pittsburgh Police.
Pace was an honor roll student and sophomore at Brashear High School. Police think that he was shot after leaving Ken's Corner Store. Pace was just a few blocks from his home.
It's believed the victim was alone when he was shot.
Neighbor Jean Petry saw Pace's mother and sister trying to comfort him before the paramedics arrived.
"For a 16-year-old boy to be shot -- I just can't imagine," Petry said. "It could have been one of my own."
Pace was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital in critical condition where he was pronounced dead.
Police have not yet established a motive.
"Apparently, there were two if not three blacks males that approached him and one of them pulled a gun out and fired at least three shots at him," Lt. Hermann added.
Police are continuing to investigate.
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