On December 28, 2019, Samuel Rende, a 90-year-old man from Pittsburgh, PA, was tragically shot and killed while sitting in his black pickup truck near the entrance to Calvary Catholic Cemetery in the Greenfield neighborhood. Rende, who was of White ethnicity, was shot multiple times, including a fatal gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries at 12:59 p.m.
The suspect, Anthony Miller, a 27-year-old man from White Oak, PA,
was arrested shortly after the incident. Miller confessed to shooting Rende and stealing his gold wedding ring and wristwatch. According to the criminal complaint, Miller had stolen the .40 caliber handgun he used in the shooting from a vehicle in Pittsburgh earlier that week. He was charged with homicide, theft, receiving stolen property, and two firearms charges.
Miller's arrest came after a witness reported seeing him walking away from the scene with a gun in his hand and a dog by his side. Police found the stolen handgun sticking out of Miller's sweatshirt pocket and discovered Rende's ring with dried bloodstains in Miller's sock. Miller also faced an additional charge of simple assault in a separate incident from earlier that month.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but the community remembers Rende as a kind-hearted individual who was well-liked and known for his generosity. He was a Marine veteran who served in the Korean War and worked as a steelworker at U.S. Steel's Homestead plant. Rende is survived by his sister Theresa Mastriano and his daughters Samantha and Catherine.
Miller eventually pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and other charges related to the robbery and shooting of Rende. His sentencing hearing was scheduled for February 2, 2021.
The tragic death of Samuel Rende has left a lasting impact on his family, friends, and the community, who continue to remember him fondly for his contributions and kind nature.
