Jacob Pushinsky, an 18-year-old male from Erie, PA, tragically died on July 11, 2015, as a result of an attempted robbery. Pushinsky was born on March 13, 1997, and was a senior at East High School, where he was a member of the Army Jr. ROTC. He was fatally shot once in the left side by 14-year-old Derrys Sanders Jr., who attempted to steal Pushinsky's bicycle.
Sanders, who was jogging alongside Pushinsky, pulled out a handgun and shot him after Pushinsky refused to hand over his bike. The incident occurred in the 200 block of East Eighth Street. Pushinsky was pronounced dead at UPMC Hamot about 40 minutes after being shot. Sanders was charged with criminal homicide, murder, recklessly endangering another person, robbery, possessing an instrument of crime, carrying a firearm without a license, and possession of a firearm by a minor.
Sanders turned himself in at the Erie police station and was arraigned and held in the Erie County Prison with no bond set. He later pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, and all other charges were dropped. Sanders received a sentence of 35 years to life in prison.
The investigation into the case focused on how Sanders, at such a young age, obtained the handgun used in the crime. Erie police Chief Randy Bowers described the killing as a result of "just flat-out thievery," and Mayor Joe Sinnott expressed concern about the network of crime that allowed a 14-year-old to get a gun.
Jacob Pushinsky's death was a tragic event that shook the community of Erie, PA, and led to significant legal actions against the young perpetrator.
