In the late hours of a Tuesday night in June, the Perry South neighborhood of Pittsburgh was shattered by the sound of gunfire. On June 7, 2016, 31-year-old Keith Coleman, a Black male, was driving through the 300 block of Kennedy Avenue when he was struck by at least one bullet just before midnight. His vehicle, after the fatal shot, collided with four parked cars before coming to a final rest.
When law enforcement arrived at the chaotic scene, they discovered Coleman lying in the street, gravely wounded. He was quickly transported to Allegheny General Hospital, but his life could not be saved, and he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The initial investigation launched by the Pittsburgh police involved a search of the area surrounding Norwood and Kennedy Avenues. A K-9 unit was brought in to assist in the search for two men who were believed to be the suspects in the shooting. Despite their efforts, the search came up empty, and no arrests were made in the immediate aftermath of the homicide. An autopsy was scheduled for the following day as police began the arduous task of piecing together the events that led to Coleman's untimely death.
In the years that have passed since Keith Coleman was killed, his case has remained a somber note in the city's history of gun violence. The North Side, which includes the Perry South neighborhood, was particularly affected by a surge in fatal shootings during that period. As of early 2026, there have been no publicly announced arrests or naming of any suspects in connection with the murder of Keith Coleman. The investigation into his death is considered ongoing, leaving his family and community still waiting for answers and for justice to be served. The circumstances surrounding his death suggest he was targeted while driving, but the motive behind the shooting remains unclear to the public.
