On July 3, 2016, Reginald Shelton, age 56, was shot and killed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The incident occurred at the Allegheny Dwellings housing complex in the city's Fineview neighborhood. According to investigators, Shelton was shot following an argument over money inside the main entrance of the housing complex. Despite his injuries, Shelton managed to drive himself to Allegheny General Hospital, where he succumbed to the gunshot wound shortly after arriving. His final words to the emergency room staff were reportedly, "He shot me".
Police identified Ernest Hardman, a 26-year-old from East Liberty, as the suspect responsible for Shelton's death. Hardman was arrested and charged with criminal homicide in November 2017, more than a year after the shooting. Authorities used multiple pieces of evidence to connect Hardman to the crime, including security footage from the housing complex and a voicemail recording that captured the sound of the gunshot. Witnesses also provided statements identifying Hardman, describing seeing him with a handgun near the scene before and after the shooting. Based on this evidence, a trial was ordered for Hardman, and he was held in custody without bail while awaiting further court proceedings.
The case against Hardman highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in solving homicide cases, especially those involving reluctant witnesses or dwindling leads. Despite the delays, the efforts of the Pittsburgh police ultimately led to the identification and arrest of the suspect in Shelton's death.
