Ernest Nevin Mills Jr., a 28-year-old man from Pittsburgh, PA, was tragically shot and killed on November 9, 2020, in the Brighton Heights neighborhood. Mills was walking with his girlfriend to get pizza when he was attacked. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Brighton Road near Davis Avenue. Despite efforts by officers to save him, Mills was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect in the case, Laron Smith, 26, lived in the same multi-family house as Mills.
On the day of the shooting, witnesses reported seeing Smith exhibiting strange behavior, including screaming profanities and pulling a ski mask over his face before following Mills and his girlfriend. Smith was arrested two days later during a SWAT operation.
Smith later pleaded guilty but mentally ill to third-degree murder. During the trial, it was revealed that Smith had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was experiencing psychotic symptoms leading up to the shooting. Despite attempts to find a motive, investigators could not uncover any animosity between Smith and Mills. Smith spent seven months at Torrance State Hospital for treatment before being sentenced.
The case highlighted the challenges of addressing mental health issues within the criminal justice system and raised questions about the adequacy of mental health support and intervention for individuals like Smith.
