On the evening of October 15, 2020, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, 31-year-old Jimia Alston, a mother of five, was shot inside her home on Louisa Street. She was rushed to UPMC Williamsport but succumbed to her injuries on the operating table shortly after arriving. The shooting occurred at approximately 6:40 p.m., and she was pronounced dead at about 7:55 p.m. At the time of the incident, her five children were present in the house but were unharmed.
Witnesses reported seeing a man dressed in black approach the residence, fire a single shot that struck Alston, and then flee the scene on foot. The investigation quickly led authorities to identify Antwan McClain, then 36, as the alleged gunman. A warrant was issued for his arrest on charges including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
McClain, also known as 'Lava,' remained at large for several weeks. On December 10, 2020, he was apprehended without incident by the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force at a home in Schenectady, New York. He was then extradited to Pennsylvania to face the charges against him. The motive for the shooting was not immediately released by investigators.
In September 2022, Antwan McClain, then 40, stood trial for the murder of Jimia Alston. After deliberation, the Lycoming County jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the charges of first-degree criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and firearms not to be carried, resulting in a hung jury on those counts. However, the jury did find McClain guilty of flight to avoid apprehension.
