Omar Maurice Poole Jr., known affectionately to his family and friends as "Lil O" or "Baby O," was a man whose personality could fill a room. Born on September 30, 1997, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the 29-year-old from Penn Hills was remembered for being goofy, funny, loving, and always ready to make people laugh. From a young age, he brought joy to those around him, whether he was making funny videos or collecting Pokémon cards.
His family recalled that if Omar loved you, you knew it; he was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back. This compassion was a guiding force in his life and work.
Omar spent his childhood in the Garfield and Morningside neighborhoods of Pittsburgh before his family moved to Penn Hills. He attended Penn Hills Senior High School and spent a semester at Edinboro University. A great passion in his life was basketball, which he played from a young age at the YMCA and later in AAU leagues, helping his teams win numerous championships. As an adult, his caring nature led him to work as a caregiver, where he found fulfillment in helping others, especially the elderly. He had a natural gift for making people feel comfortable and cared for. Most recently, he worked as a housekeeping manager at the Jewish Community Center and held other janitorial positions. His family would miss his smile, his jokes, and most of all, his presence.
In the early hours of Monday, October 5, 2026, Omar’s life was cut short inside an apartment in West Mifflin, a borough southeast of Pittsburgh. Just before 12:45 a.m., he was at the Mifflin Estates apartment of a woman he was reportedly getting back together with. According to police, Omar was taking food out of a Sheetz bag and putting it in the refrigerator when the woman's ex-boyfriend, Richard Jetter, 27, entered the apartment. The woman told investigators she was in the process of breaking up with Jetter, who had lived with her and their daughter for the past year, and that he was there to move his belongings out.
According to the woman, who was in another room with her child, there were no arguments or words exchanged before gunshots rang out. First responders arrived at the apartment on B Drive at approximately 12:43 a.m. and found Omar Poole in a hallway off the living room. He had been shot multiple times in the torso and leg. He was rushed to UPMC Mercy Hospital, but his injuries were too severe. Omar was pronounced dead at 1:36 a.m., less than an hour after the shooting.
The investigation was handled by the Allegheny County Police Department. Richard Jetter, who had a concealed carry permit, called 911 after the shooting and remained at the scene. When officers arrived, he was taken into custody without incident. Jetter told police that he was scared when he saw another man in the apartment and claimed he acted in self-defense. He repeatedly stated that Poole "was going for his gun" and that he was "defending himself, his home, and his daughter." Investigators found multiple bullet casings in the apartment and noted the Sheetz bag Omar had been holding was stained with blood.
Richard Jetter of Beechview was arrested and charged with criminal homicide. He was transported to the Allegheny County Jail and held without bail. Following a preliminary arraignment on the day of the shooting, a preliminary hearing was scheduled for October 16, 2026. As of that month, the case was proceeding through the Allegheny County court system. A neighbor in a different apartment told detectives that after the shooting, she overheard a female say, “Why you here help me,” and a male respond, “Listen” and “Why is he here?”
Family and friends gathered to remember Omar’s life. A viewing was held on October 12, 2026, at the House of Law, Inc. funeral home in Pittsburgh. A celebration of his life took place the following day at Heavenly Vision Ministries, followed by a burial at Union Dale Cemetery. Those who knew Omar were left to cherish the memories of his humor, compassion, and the vibrant energy he brought into every room. His loved ones hoped to honor his memory by carrying forward the message he lived by: to love and show up for one another.
The investigation into Omar Poole's death is ongoing. Authorities with the Allegheny County Police asked anyone with information about the incident to call the county tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
