On an autumn evening in 2016, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace at the corner of Valley Street and Russellwood Avenue in Stowe Township, near McKees-Rocks, Pennsylvania. When the chaos subsided, 18-year-old Jabree Hines lay grievously wounded on the street. It was just before 6 p.m. on Friday, October 21st, when the young male was struck multiple times in his head, upper arms, and chest.
Rushed to Allegheny General Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of the following morning.
The hail of bullets, of which more than 20 shell casings were later recovered by investigators, also found an unintended victim. A seven-year-old girl, riding in a passing car with her mother, was struck in the thigh by a stray bullet. Her mother, in a state of panic, drove directly to the police station for help. The young girl was subsequently hospitalized and recognized for her bravery, having not shed a single tear throughout the ordeal.
Allegheny County Homicide detectives took the lead in the investigation. They determined that several men were seen fleeing the scene on foot, and a white four-door sedan was also believed to be involved in the incident. Later, police would specify they were searching for a newer model white Chevrolet Malibu which may have had a bullet hole in the door. Investigators also stated their belief that there was more than one shooter involved in the attack that claimed Hines's life.
In the weeks that followed, the investigation continued with police returning to the scene to interview potential witnesses and to review surveillance footage from the nearby Sto-Rox High School. In an effort to generate leads, a reward of up to $1,000 was offered for any information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for the shooting. Despite these efforts, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in the case, leaving the death of Jabree Hines an unsolved homicide.
