In the early morning hours of Saturday, October 11, 2025, the life of 20-year-old Jullian James Edward Lassic of Canonsburg was cut short by gunfire in the city of Washington, Pennsylvania. The shooting occurred just before 3 a.m. in an alley next to Joe's Bakery on North Main Street. Another man was also wounded in the incident and transported to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment.
First responders rushed Lassic to UPMC Washington Hospital, but his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead at 3:40 a.m. A 2024 graduate of Washington High School, Lassic worked in production at Washington Penn Plastics and was the father of a young son. His sudden death left his family and community reeling from the unexpected loss.
In the days following the shooting, Washington's mayor, JoJo Burgess, held a press conference, pleading with the public for assistance. He stated that investigators believe there were several witnesses to the shooting but that no one had come forward with information. The mayor lamented the 'code of the streets' that discourages cooperation with law enforcement and urged those with knowledge of the events to speak up to bring justice for Lassic's family.
As the investigation continued without any publicly named suspects or arrests, Mayor Burgess again addressed the community. He expressed concern that rumors and misinformation circulating on social media were leading to acts of vigilantism and potential further violence. The mayor, speaking on behalf of Lassic's grieving family, called for peace and an end to any retaliatory actions. The Washington Police Department established an anonymous tip line as they continued their investigation into the homicide. As of late 2025, no arrests had been announced in connection with the shooting death of Julian Lassic.
