Pittsburgh has a mayor, a still somewhat new police chief and several elected officials, both local and statewide, who seem to be committed to our communities and addressing the epidemic of Black-on-Black violence, but until we, ourselves, in our communities make that same committment, things will continue to remain the same—homicide and shooting totals of Blacks will continue to rise.
We, as Blacks, come from a people who have always had limited opportunity, but managed to take the little bit that they had and grow it into so much more—communities thrived and so did families. We need to take that same energy and zest our ancestors had and use it today. We cannot continue to watch our youth make it to a casket before they do a cap and gown.
As part of an ongoing effort to heighten awareness about the effects of murder in Black communities, the New Pittsburgh Courier will compile a list of homicides in the County each month. It is our hope that as the list of victims grows, so will a true understanding of how these lost lives affect the mental health, economic well being and self-images of the region’s Black neighborhoods.
Out of the 91 murders, thus far, in 2014—75 were Black and 70 were Black men.
NOV. 1—Joshua Poremski, a 27-year-old White male from Upper St. Clair, was fatally shot in the head and neck on Myrna Drive in Upper St. Clair while having a discussion with his cousin Stephanie Munizza about her getting a concealed-carry permit. According to reports, witnesses said that Poremski had handed Munizza his gun, which he said earlier was unloaded, and asked if she could handle shooting someone. Munizza gripped the gun, pointed it at him and it went off. The two had allegedly been drinking throughout the evening. Munizza, of Missouri, is charged with third-degree homicide and manslaughter. She is awaiting trial.
NOV. 17—Diondre Dozier, a 17-year-old Black male from Sheraden, was fatally shot in the chest during a shooting incident on Zephyr Street in Sheraden. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital where he later died. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.
NOV. 17—Martin Brown Jr., an 18-year-old Black male from Crafton Heights, was found shot to death on Glen Mawr Avenue hours after a reported shooting on Zephyr Street, both in Sheraden. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.
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