Joseph Perlick-Spernak, a 25-year-old resident of Clairton, Pennsylvania, tragically passed away on February 4, 2020. Born on August 25, 1994, he was the son of Victor Spernak and Carol Sporio. Joseph is survived by his son Milo Perlick-Spernak, his siblings Victor Perlick-Spernak, Carly Ogletree, and Savannah Sporio, as well as his grandparents and many other family members.
The circumstances surrounding Joseph's death involved a struggle that led to a shooting.
On the morning of February 4, 2020, 28-year-old Gerald Johnson was at a home with a female coworker when Joseph entered the home and the bedroom where they were. A struggle ensued, during which Joseph grabbed a gun that Johnson had placed on a dresser. The struggle caused them to tumble down a stairway, and Johnson eventually gained control of the gun. Johnson told police he fired one shot at Joseph during the struggle.
Gerald Johnson was arrested and charged with criminal homicide in connection with Joseph's death. He was taken into custody and held at the Allegheny County Jail awaiting arraignment. The incident occurred in the 600 block of Constitution Circle in Clairton, and the investigation continued with homicide detectives from Allegheny County working on the case.
Joseph Perlick-Spernak's death has deeply affected his family and the community, and the legal proceedings against Gerald Johnson are ongoing as authorities seek justice for Joseph.
