On July 25, 2026, the life of 30-year-old Terez Bagz Russell was tragically cut short in a burst of gunfire in Clairton, Pennsylvania. Russell, an African American male, was fatally shot in what authorities have described as a double homicide. The violent encounter also claimed the life of 32-year-old Robert Allen "Gottie" Jones. The community was left shaken by the brutal loss of two of its members, and an immediate investigation was launched to bring those responsible to justice.
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investigation into the deaths of Russell and Jones quickly centered on a single suspect: 19-year-old Dashawn Hines of Clairton. Hines was arrested and charged with homicide in connection with the double slaying that occurred near The Village Inn. According to law enforcement, the case against Hines is supported by video evidence that allegedly captures him shooting at both Russell and Jones. The events leading up to the fatal shooting involved an SUV, with the driver telling police they were forced to transport Hines and another individual. The driver, who is reportedly a cousin of the victims, claims he drove to his grandmother's house after the shooting, at which point Hines and the other person fled.
Dashawn Hines was no stranger to law enforcement. A detective recognized him from a prior case in December of the previous year. In that incident, Hines, along with two other men, was accused of holding two teenage girls, ages 14 and 16, hostage and sexually assaulting them. He faced serious charges, including rape, sexual assault, and corruption of minors. Those charges, however, were ultimately dismissed. The Allegheny County District Attorney's Office stated that the case was withdrawn due to "evidentiary issues," which prevented them from proceeding with the prosecution. Following his arrest for the murders of Terez Russell and Robert Jones, Hines was taken to the Allegheny County Jail, where he was held without bond. The case against him represents a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the two men whose lives were violently ended, leaving a void in the hearts of their families and the Clairton community.
