In the spring of 2020, a dispute over a marijuana transaction tragically cut short the life of 26-year-old Tiawaun Henley. On a Sunday afternoon, May 3rd, in Stowe Township, Pennsylvania, Henley was found lying in the intersection of Seventh Street and Benwood Avenue, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition.
Despite medical efforts, Tiawaun Henley, a male resident of Pittsburgh, succumbed to his injuries, including a fatal gunshot wound to the head, and was pronounced dead at 1:22 p.m. the following day.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led Allegheny County police to a 16-year-old suspect from McKees Rocks, Peyton Wiser. An arrest warrant was issued, and Wiser surrendered to the authorities on the same day Henley passed away. Initially, the teenager was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a minor. However, following Henley's death, the charges were upgraded to include homicide.
Further details emerged, suggesting a recent falling out between Henley and Wiser over a marijuana deal. Witnesses reported seeing the two together shortly before the shooting. A witness claimed that Henley was upset with Wiser for selling his girlfriend a bad batch of marijuana. Accounts from that day described a physical altercation where Henley reportedly threw Wiser to the ground and punched him repeatedly. According to Wiser's account, Henley also attempted to strangle him.
During the confrontation, Wiser stated that he was able to get away from Henley and grab a gun that Henley had brought with him. As he fled, Wiser fired the weapon, striking Henley multiple times. Surveillance footage from a nearby home captured two men running, followed by a puff of smoke and one man falling to the ground. The other man was seen picking something up before running off. At the scene, police discovered an empty cell phone case containing Wiser's student ID. In May 2022, Peyton Wiser pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and illegal gun possession. He was scheduled for sentencing in August of that year.
