In the quiet town of New Castle, Pennsylvania, a heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded in mid-October of 2018, forever altering the lives of a local family. Ten-year-old Amariah Emery, a bright and caring fifth-grade student, was found dead in her home on West North Street. The young girl, known for her love of school and for helping her friends and siblings with their homework, was discovered on the morning of October 16th.
Her life was cut short in a brutal act of violence that also claimed the lives of her 31-year-old mother, Nichole Pumphrey, and a 31-year-old man named Lawrence Cannon. All three victims had been fatally shot.
The horrific discovery was made after what police believe was a violent encounter the night of October 15th. At the time of the incident, Amariah’s four younger siblings were also in the home. It is believed that upon hearing a commotion downstairs, Amariah, in a protective act, went to see what was happening and was tragically shot. Her younger sister was reportedly told by Amariah to keep the other children upstairs, a final act of bravery from the young girl who was remembered by her family as a loving and motherly figure to her siblings. The other children in the home were physically unharmed.
The investigation into the triple homicide led to the arrests of three individuals. The suspects were identified as 19-year-old Steven Procopio, 19-year-old Anthony Lavon Cooper Jr., and 41-year-old Jody Hammer. Authorities believe the motive for the crime was a robbery that went tragically wrong. According to police reports, the three suspects went to the residence with the intent to rob the victims. An argument reportedly broke out, during which Cooper is alleged to have shot Cannon and Pumphrey. Hearing noises from upstairs, Cooper then allegedly handed the gun to Procopio, who is accused of shooting Amariah.
Following the murders, all three suspects were charged with multiple counts of criminal homicide, and in some cases, additional charges such as conspiracy and hindering apprehension. Procopio was arrested shortly after the incident. Cooper was apprehended in Detroit after being on the run for nearly a month. Hammer was also taken into custody and faced charges related to the homicides. The community of New Castle was left to mourn the senseless loss of three lives, particularly that of a young girl who was remembered for her bright smile and caring nature.
