On January 22, 2017, at approximately 4:00 AM, a tragic incident occurred in the Larimer neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA. Christopher Thompkins, a 57-year-old Black male, and his ex-wife Brenda Richmond were awakened to find an intruder, later identified as Juan Jeter-Clark, standing over their bed in their home located in the 100-block of Finley Street.
Upon discovering the intruder, Thompkins instructed Richmond to give him her gun and call the police.
The couple observed Jeter-Clark moving through various rooms on the second floor before heading downstairs. Thompkins, concerned about his mother who was downstairs, pursued the intruder. Richmond heard gunfire and sought safety by hiding on the roof.
When police officers arrived responding to the burglary in progress, they encountered gunfire as they attempted to enter the home. The shots came from a male descending the staircase, which was positioned straight ahead and slightly to the left of the entrance. Thompkins was struck during the exchange and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene at 4:08 AM.
The suspect, Juan Jeter-Clark, was taken into custody and charged with criminal trespass. Following standard procedure, the two officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave. The incident was investigated under the oversight of the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office. The Independent Civilian Police Review Board's Ex-Director Elizabeth C. Pittinger commented on the tragic nature of such incidents, emphasizing that officers don't seek to shoot anyone but maintain their right to self-protection.
