In the afternoon hours of January 2, 2023, tragedy struck in the small borough of Pitcairn, Pennsylvania. Nykye Smith, a 20-year-old male, was found shot in the head in the 400 block of Robinson Street. First responders arrived at the scene shortly after 4 p.m. to find Smith grievously wounded. He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention but succumbed to his injuries a short time later and was pronounced dead.
The Allegheny County Police homicide detectives
immediately began an investigation into the shooting. Initially, authorities had no suspects and appealed to the public for any information regarding the incident that had claimed the young man's life. The community was left seeking answers as investigators worked to piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting.
More than two weeks later, a breakthrough was made in the case. On January 18, 2023, Allegheny County authorities announced the arrest of a suspect. Daniel Kelly, a 21-year-old from the nearby city of Clairton, was taken into custody in Pittsburgh by the sheriff's fugitive squad. Homicide detectives determined that Kelly was responsible for the shooting. He was apprehended without incident after investigators learned he was at his brother's home and convinced him to surrender. Following his arrest, Kelly was set to be processed at the Allegheny County Jail. He faces charges of criminal homicide and firearms violations in connection with the death of Nykye Smith.
