In the late morning of September 11, 2010, tragedy struck in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Beltzhoover, forever altering the lives of one family. Dywayne Heath, a 19-year-old Black male from the Carrick neighborhood, was walking to a relative's home when he was relentlessly pursued by an unknown assailant. In a desperate attempt to escape the imminent danger, Heath sought refuge on the porch of a home on Montooth Street, a place he likely hoped would offer him sanctuary.
Tragically, the
porch became the final scene of his young life. The gunman, undeterred by Heath's attempt to find safety, opened fire, unleashing a barrage of bullets. Heath was struck multiple times and collapsed on the porch, succumbing to his injuries at the scene. The residents of the home, who did not know Heath, were thrust into the middle of a horrific event that unfolded on their doorstep. The tranquility of their day was shattered by the violence that claimed a life just outside their door.
The immediate aftermath was a scene of chaos and profound grief. When police arrived, they found approximately a dozen shell casings, a testament to the brutal nature of the attack. Heath's family, upon hearing the devastating news, rushed to the scene. Their raw and public anguish was a heartbreaking spectacle for onlookers as they tried to comprehend the sudden and violent loss of their loved one. Investigators at the time described the suspect as a Black male, about 5 feet 7 inches tall with a thin build and curly black hair, wearing a black shirt and black denim pants. Despite this description, no arrests were immediately made in connection with the murder. The motive for the shooting remained unclear to investigators in the initial days of the investigation, leaving a community and a grieving family with more questions than answers. Online sources available through 2010 indicated that the investigation was ongoing, but did not provide information on any subsequent arrests or the resolution of the case.
