Abdulganiyu Sanusi, a 56-year-old Nigerian immigrant, was fatally shot on October 13, 2018, while working as a Domino's pizza delivery driver in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sanusi, who had been in the United States for about two years, was delivering a pizza to a residence on North St. Clair Street in East Liberty when he was ambushed and shot twice.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into Sanusi's death led to the arrest of two teenagers, D'Ambrosse Garland, 18, and Timothy Walls, 17. Garland and Walls were charged with homicide, robbery, and conspiracy. Witnesses reported seeing two men at the scene, one wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and the other a black hooded sweatshirt. Surveillance footage and witness statements helped the police identify Garland and Walls as the suspects.
In October 2019, both Garland and Walls pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, robbery, and conspiracy. Garland also pleaded guilty to two firearms violations and received a sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison plus 10 years of probation. Walls was sentenced to 9 to 18 years in prison. The court proceedings revealed that Garland was under house arrest for allegedly shooting his half-brother when he committed the crime against Sanusi.
Sanusi was described by those who knew him as a generous and hardworking individual who supported his wife and seven children back in Nigeria. He was an active member of the local Muslim community and often contributed to communal gatherings despite his own financial responsibilities. His death was a significant loss to his family and the community, who remembered him as a "big tree that everyone took shade under".
The case highlighted the dangers faced by delivery drivers and the impact of violent crime on immigrant communities. Sanusi's tragic death and the subsequent legal actions against Garland and Walls underscored the importance of community support and justice in addressing such crimes.
