On December 1, 2022, Kaari Thompson, a 4-year-old girl from Pittsburgh, PA, was tragically shot and killed outside a grocery store in the Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood. Kaari was a student at Pittsburgh Lincoln Early Childhood and was described by her family as a beautiful, loveable, and adorable child. Her mother, Temani Lewis, aged 21, was also shot during the incident and succumbed to her injuries five days later at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
The investigation into Kaari's death led to the arrest of two suspects: Marquise Givner, aged 21, and Tarrell Jennings, aged 19. Both were charged with homicide, criminal attempt, criminal conspiracy, and aggravated assault. Givner was also charged with carrying a firearm without a license. The arrests were made nearly ten months after the incident, following Givner's court appearance for a separate case, which helped detectives link him and Jennings to the crime.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey expressed his outrage over the senseless violence, stating that there was no reason a 4-year-old should be gunned down in the city. The community gathered to remember Kaari, releasing balloons in her honor and calling for an end to gun violence. Despite the arrests, the investigation remains ongoing, with detectives indicating that more work is needed to fully resolve the case.
The tragic deaths of Kaari Thompson and her mother have sparked a renewed conversation about gun violence and the need for peaceful conflict resolution in Pittsburgh. The city continues to mourn the loss of Kaari and seek justice for her and her mother.
