On a Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh's Bloomfield neighborhood, Alexander Yerkey, a 26-year-old male, was enjoying a bike ride on his way to a pickup baseball game. His life was abruptly cut short on March 26, 2023, in what was described as a senseless act of gun violence. Yerkey, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Urban Planning, had a passion for making his city a better place, having worked as both an intern and a consultant for the Department of Mobility and
Infrastructure. He was remembered for his kind and gentle nature, his love for music, and his dedication to his family and friends.
Witnesses reported hearing a gunshot after seeing Yerkey ride his bike down Pearl Street. He was found on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The attack appeared to be unprovoked. Surveillance footage from the area captured the tragic moment, showing a man walk up to Yerkey and shoot him at close range before walking away from the scene. The incident left the community in shock and mourning for a young man who was described as having a sweet, genuine smile and a willingness to always help others.
The investigation quickly led to the apprehension of a suspect, Lukas Kislak, a 33-year-old man from Braddock. He was taken into custody less than half a mile from the scene of the shooting, and a firearm was recovered at the time of his arrest. Kislak was subsequently charged with criminal homicide and other related offenses. In the face of overwhelming evidence, including the video footage and witness accounts, Kislak's legal team pursued a defense centered on his mental health struggles.
Ultimately, Lukas Kislak pleaded guilty but mentally ill to third-degree murder. This plea acknowledged his culpability in the death of Alexander Yerkey while also taking into account his documented history of mental illness. As a result of his plea, Kislak was sentenced to serve 15 to 40 years in a state prison. While the legal proceedings brought a form of closure, the community continues to grieve the loss of a promising young man whose life was tragically and violently ended.
