In the late afternoon of March 28, 2017, a day that began like any other for 16-year-old Deven Holloway, ended in tragedy in the parking lot of Linton Middle School in Penn Hills, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Penn Hills High School sophomore was at the school's basketball courts when an altercation led to him being fatally shot. Police were called to the scene on Aster Street shortly after 4:30 p.m., where they found Holloway's body near a parked car.
The coroner would later confirm that he died from gunshot wounds to the head and torso.
The investigation into the shooting quickly focused on 22-year-old Nicholas I. Knight of Plum. Knight voluntarily went to the police and was questioned. Through his attorney, he claimed that he acted in self-defense. The defense's narrative was that Holloway had attacked him with a gun, and he had returned fire to protect himself. A handgun was reportedly found near Holloway's body. After being questioned, Knight was initially released from custody. The Allegheny County Police continued their investigation, which included reviewing evidence and video footage to corroborate witness statements. The shooting sent shockwaves through the community, prompting the Penn Hills School District to cancel classes and offer grief counseling to students and staff. A vigil was held in Holloway's memory, attended by friends, family, and community members who remembered him as a caring and giving young man.
Several months later, in October 2017, the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office announced its decision regarding the case. After a thorough investigation, prosecutors concluded that Nicholas Knight was justified in his use of force and would not face homicide charges in the death of Deven Holloway. The district attorney's office stated that their review of the evidence indicated that Knight had acted in self-defense. While he was cleared of the homicide charge, Knight was not entirely without legal consequence. He was charged with possessing a firearm on school property and tampering with evidence in connection with the incident. Holloway's family expressed their deep disappointment with the decision not to pursue a homicide charge, with a cousin stating it made him want to lose faith in the justice system. Knight's attorney maintained that his client was justified in his actions and that the incident was a traumatic experience for him.
