In the summer of 2022, a life was tragically cut short on the streets of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Tywon D. Abner, a 33-year-old Black man, was found with a gunshot wound in the late hours of July 28th. The incident occurred in the 500 block of Allen Street, where police and paramedics rendered aid before he was rushed to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. Despite their efforts, Abner succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead in the early morning of July 29, 2022. The Lehigh County Coroner's Office later confirmed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound and ruled it a homicide.
For nearly two years, the investigation into Tywon Abner's death continued. Then, in June 2024, a significant development brought hope for justice to Abner's family and friends. Authorities announced the arrest of Steven M. Rosa, a 30-year-old Allentown resident. Rosa was charged with homicide in connection with Abner's shooting. The charges came after an investigation by the Lehigh County 12th Investigating Grand Jury, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, and the Allentown Police Department.
At the time of his arrest for the homicide, Steven M. Rosa was already incarcerated in Lehigh County Jail on unrelated charges. In addition to the homicide charge, he also faced charges of persons not to possess a firearm due to a prior robbery conviction and carrying a firearm without a license. Due to the nature of the homicide charge, bail was not set. The case against him was presented to the grand jury by the Chief Deputy District Attorney and the Senior Deputy District Attorney, leading to the approval of the presentment and the sealing of further details about the case.
Tywon Abner was remembered as a man with a love for animals, having worked at an animal shelter in Allentown. He was also a father to seven children. Originally from Plainfield, New Jersey, he had resided in Allentown for many years and worked as a contractor in the construction industry. His sudden and violent death left a void in the lives of his family, including his parents, sixteen siblings, and many friends.
