In the late hours of December 23, 2020, what began as a celebration of his mother's birthday ended in tragedy for 24-year-old Damon Lincoln. At his home on Anthony Street in Mt. Oliver, two masked men forced their way inside, initiating a home invasion that would cut his life short. The intruders held Lincoln and a friend at gunpoint while they began to ransack the residence.
Hearing the commotion from upstairs, Lincoln's mother, Janet Dearolf, came down to find the terrifying scene
unfolding. One of the assailants then turned his aggression towards her, throwing her to the ground and kicking her. In a final act of love and protection, Lincoln rose to defend his mother. It was then that one of the intruders shot him in the back. The two men fled the scene, leaving a family shattered. First responders rushed Lincoln to UPMC Mercy, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office subsequently ruled his death a homicide.
For a long time, the case grew cold, with no solid leads for investigators. The family offered a reward for any information that would lead to an arrest, holding onto hope for justice. That hope was rekindled in the spring of 2025 when an anonymous tip from a 'burner phone' pointed detectives toward a man named David Barlow. The caller indicated that Barlow was involved in the shooting and was growing anxious that he would be caught. This crucial piece of information led investigators to Barlow, who was living with his girlfriend in Dormont.
During an interview with police, Barlow denied knowing where Lincoln lived but consented to providing a DNA sample. This would prove to be a critical turning point in the investigation. DNA evidence collected from the crime scene was a match to Barlow's. Following the interview, Barlow reportedly became very anxious and planned to leave for Georgia. In September 2025, David Barlow was arrested and charged with homicide and robbery in connection with the death of Damon Lincoln. The case against him is now proceeding to trial.
