On a tragic afternoon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, what began as a casual get-together between two teenage friends ended in a devastating loss of life. Sixteen-year-old Alexander Alman, a Caucasian male, was fatally shot on Sunday, September 8, 2019. The incident took place at a residence in the city's Duquesne Heights neighborhood. Alman was rushed to a local hospital but unfortunately succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head, and he was pronounced dead in the early hours of September 9,
2019.
Investigations into the shooting revealed a heartbreaking story of a get-together that took a fatal turn. Alman was with his friend, 18-year-old Michael Anthony Hartwick Jr., at Hartwick's home. The two were reportedly playing with a handgun and an airsoft BB gun. Believing the handgun to be unloaded, the teens were pointing the weapons at each other in a playful manner when the firearm discharged, striking Alman. Neighbors described a scene of panic, with one of the teens running from the house screaming for help after the shot was fired.
In the aftermath of the shooting, police launched an investigation that led to the arrest of Michael Hartwick Jr. He faced serious charges, including involuntary manslaughter and a gun violation. During questioning, Hartwick reportedly told investigators that he was unaware the gun was loaded and that the shooting was a tragic accident. He later waived his right to a preliminary hearing. The death of Alexander Alman was ruled a criminal homicide.
The loss of the young man sent ripples of grief through his community. Alman was a junior at Brashear High School, where he was remembered as a kind student with a good heart. The school district brought in grief counselors to help students and faculty cope with the sudden and tragic loss. Alman's family was left to grapple with an unimaginable sorrow, with his father publicly expressing his heartbreak and lamenting the accessibility of firearms to young people. The incident served as a stark and painful reminder of the potential for tragedy when firearms are mishandled.
