Current:Home > Markets2 men sentenced to life without parole in downtown Pittsburgh drive-by shooting that killed toddler -PureWealth Academy
2 men sentenced to life without parole in downtown Pittsburgh drive-by shooting that killed toddler
View
Date:2025-04-16 02:59:23
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Two men convicted of murder in a drive-by shooting that left a toddler dead in his car seat in Pittsburgh were sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without possibility of parole.
Markez Anger, 25, and Londell Falconer, 27, were both convicted in June of first-degree murder in the death of 18-month-old De’Avry Thomas, who was fatally shot last year in downtown Pittsburgh.
Prosecutors said Falconer was driving a vehicle and his passenger, Anger, fired more than a dozen shots at another vehicle near a prominent downtown building complex, PPG Place, in May 2022. At least one bullet struck Thomas, who was in the back seat of a car driven by his mother. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His mother was uninjured.
Security cameras recorded Anger leaning out the passenger-side window and shooting at the vehicle De’Avry was in as bystanders nearby began running away, authorities said. They said 13 bullet holes were later found in the vehicle. Security footage from the city’s North Side, where the vehicle was abandoned, showed Falconer getting out of the driver’s seat, and fingerprints from the defendants were found on a discarded can and the vehicle’s roof, authorities said.
The boy’s mother, Dea’Shea Green, told the judge that she struggles to sleep because every time she closes her eyes the events of that day play over and over in her mind. “It hurts me even more to know, when I found my baby, there was nothing I can do but hold him and wait for help,” she said.
Both defendants maintained their innocence, criticized their attorneys and vowed to seek new trials. Anger told relatives of the victim that he was sorry for what they have been going through. Falconer said he had known the boy all his life and knew from the moment he was born “how amazing he was going to be.”
Judge Bruce Beemer imposed the mandatory life-without-parole terms Wednesday, calling the shooting a “brazen, reckless and intentional act” that ended the life of a child. He also sentenced Anger to another 22½ to 45 years on conspiracy, attempted homicide, and firearms counts and Falconer to another 15 to 30 years for conspiracy and attempted homicide.
veryGood! (36342)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- 2 teens charged in death of New York City woman whose body was found in duffel bag
- Why is 4/20 the unofficial weed day? The history behind April 20 and marijuana
- Theater Review: ‘Stereophonic’ is a brilliant ‘Behind the Music’ play on Broadway
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- A cop ran a light going 88 mph and killed a young father of twins. He still has his badge
- Volkswagen workers vote for union in Tennessee — a major win for organized labor
- Key players: Who’s who at Donald Trump’s hush money criminal trial
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- A rabbi serving 30 years to life in his wife’s contract killing has died, prison officials say
Ranking
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Higher Forces
- All the Stars Who Have Dated Their Own Celebrity Crushes
- White Green: Investment Philosophy under Macro Strategy
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- House on the brink of approving Ukraine and Israel aid after months of struggle
- Oil Drilling Has Endured in the Everglades for Decades. Now, the Miccosukee Tribe Has a Plan to Stop It
- Matty Healy's Aunt Shares His Reaction to Taylor Swift's Album Tortured Poets Department
Recommendation
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian and Ye feud timeline: VMAs to 'The Tortured Poets Department'
Man City beats Chelsea with late Silva goal to make FA Cup final while Arsenal tops EPL
California is rolling out free preschool. That hasn’t solved challenges around child care
'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
Trader Joe’s basil recall: Maps show states affected by salmonella, recalled product
Campbell “Pookie” Puckett and Jett Puckett’s Fire Date Night Looks Are Surprisingly Affordable
New York lawmakers pass $237 billion budget addressing housing construction and migrants