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John Weiss

Case from Pittsburgh, PA dated Feb 22, 1981

Victim Details

John Weiss

Male

Pittsburgh

PA

1981-02-22

18

John

Weiss

07/09/2026

Case Description

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John Weiss, an 18-year-old male from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, died on February 22, 1981, after he was shot during what authorities described as a break-in at the home of Dr. John Wahrenberger, a Pittsburgh dentist. Weiss was not a stranger to Wahrenberger; he had reportedly been a patient of the dentist since childhood. What began as an alleged burglary became a fatal shooting that later drew public attention because it tested Pennsylvania’s then-new “deadly force” law.

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Links to Additional Sources (4)

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  • ImgBB: Deadly-force-law-faces-test
  • Pennsylvania's 'deadly force' law faces test - UPI Archives
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    Forum Posts (2)

    I've been thinking a lot about the case of John Weiss from Pittsburgh. It's really disheartening how... ...Read More
    11/12/2024
    I recently stumbled upon the case of John Weiss and couldn't help but feel a sense of deep sadness f... ...Read More
    05/09/2024
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