William A. Pickett, a 35-year-old man from Akron, Ohio, tragically lost his life on August 28, 2018. Pickett was shot inside a barbershop located at 226 E. Cuyahoga Falls Avenue in Akron. The incident occurred when Salah Mahdi, a 29-year-old man from Akron, walked into the barbershop and opened fire, killing Pickett and wounding another individual.
Pickett was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other victim survived the attack.
Following the shooting, Mahdi fled the scene but was eventually arrested in December 2019. He faced multiple charges, including aggravated murder, murder, and having a weapon under disability. In November 2022, Mahdi was found guilty on all charges and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 28 years. The court determined that Mahdi had been prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior felony convictions, including trafficking heroin and other weapons-related offenses.
The case drew significant attention in the Akron community, highlighting issues of gun violence and the impact of repeat offenders on public safety. The sentencing of Mahdi brought a measure of justice for Pickett's family and friends, although the loss of a young life remains a poignant reminder of the consequences of such violent acts.
