On the evening of September 9, 2016, in the West Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, a young life was tragically cut short. Wade L. Howard, a 20-year-old male from the Hill District, was inside an apartment building on De Raud Street when a man entered and fired multiple shots at him. Howard was struck twice in the chest and rushed to UPMC Mercy Hospital in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead about an hour later.
The cause of his death was multiple gunshot wounds to his torso.
The investigation into Howard's death led authorities to 26-year-old Ronald Satterwhite, also a resident of the Hill District. Satterwhite was taken into custody on September 23, 2016, by Pittsburgh Bureau of Police detectives and the U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force. Initially facing trial, Satterwhite later reached a plea agreement. In November 2019, he pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, aggravated assault, and carrying a firearm without a license.
During the sentencing, the court heard from Wade Howard's two sisters, who spoke of the profound impact his death had on their lives. One sister described him as her best friend, protector, and her peace, stating that her life had been in shambles since his passing. She remembered him as a great person with a family that loved him dearly. In exchange for his guilty plea, Ronald Satterwhite was sentenced to serve nine to 20 years in prison, with credit for the three years he had already served while awaiting trial. When asked if he had anything to say, Satterwhite's response was, 'My bad.'
