Michael Anthony Tomlin, a 32-year-old Black man known in the Pittsburgh music scene as Mike “Tomlinese,” was a respected rapper, singer, producer, and engineer. Friends and colleagues described him as a creative force and a "triple threat" who had the "it" factor. He worked at the local radio station WAMO, where his energy made every day fun for those around him. He had recently returned to Pittsburgh after spending time in California honing his craft as a producer.
Friends called him a witty "beam of light" and a "legend" who was known for giving other artists opportunities and helping them tell their stories.
On May 27, 2023, Tomlin was shot and killed on Franklin Avenue in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. His death sent a shockwave through the city’s rap community. One friend said, “The city won't sound the same,” while another lamented, “They took an energy that will never be seen again in this city.” In the days that followed, loved ones gathered at Point State Park for a balloon release to honor his life and legacy.
The investigation into Tomlin’s death continued for five months before police made an arrest. Authorities took Isaiah Thornton, a man from North Braddock, into custody and charged him in connection with the killing.
Thornton faced charges of criminal homicide and carrying a firearm without a license. A third charge for illegal possession of a firearm was severed from the case. The homicide case went to trial nearly two years after Tomlin's death.
In June 2025, a jury found Isaiah Thornton, then 35, not guilty on both charges. Following the acquittal, the homicide of Michael Tomlin remains unsolved as of June 2025.
