On a Halloween night in Pittsburgh, what should have been a time of youthful fun turned into a scene of violence that claimed the life of 17-year-old Joseph Louis Hendricks IV. The Black male teenager was fatally shot on Saturday, October 31, 2020, in the Allentown neighborhood of the city.
The incident, which was not related to a Halloween party, unfolded on Beltzhoover Avenue. According to police reports, the violence began in the street before moving into a house.
When law enforcement arrived, they discovered a chaotic and tragic scene with multiple victims. Two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while Hendricks and another were transported to a local hospital. Hendricks was initially in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head and later succumbed to his injuries.
In total, the shooting resulted in the deaths of three young men. Alongside Joseph Hendricks, 21-year-old Laffayette Gordon and 24-year-old Malik Allen also lost their lives. A fourth victim, another 17-year-old, was injured in the shooting but was reported to be in stable condition.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Pittsburgh Police announced that they were not searching for any suspects. It was determined that the individuals responsible for the shooting were among those who were killed or injured during the altercation. The investigation concluded that there was no outstanding perpetrator at large. Joseph was a student at the New Academy Charter School and was remembered by his family as a light-hearted and easy-going person who enjoyed music, basketball, and gaming.
