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Mother, aunt of Wilkinsburg shooting victims sends message to community following arrests

WILKINSBURG, Pa. — The mother and aunt of the victims who were shot during a cookout ambush that killed five people and one unborn child, sent a message to the community Monday through her pastor after two suspects were charged in the case last week.

Jessica Shelton’s pastor passed along her reaction to hearing that Cheron Shelton, 29, and Robert Thomas, 27, were both charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, criminal conspiracy and attempted homicide Thursday.

Jessica’s pastor, Maurice Trent, told the community that she was relieved when she heard the news of the arrests.

He also said Jessica Shelton is not only asking for justice for her family members who were killed, but is also praying for the suspects and their families since the prosecutors have not ruled out the death penalty.

Chanetta Powell, a 25-year-old who was eight months pregnant, and four others -- Jerry Shelton, 35; Tina Shelton, 37; Brittany Powell, 27; and Shada Mahone, 26 -- were killed in the ambush in the backyard of a home on Franklin Avenue on March 9. Powell's unborn child also died.

Cheron Shelton is not related to Jerry or Tina Shelton.

Three other people were wounded, including LaMont Powell, who Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala said was the primary target of the shooting.

“There was real relief there. Jessica, she’s a steady person and when they were first arrested, she wasn’t nervous. She said ‘I’m going to put it in God’s hands, and whatever happens, happens.’ When they were finally officially charged, she was definitely relieved,” Trent said.

Trent, when asked by Channel 11’s Marlisa Goldsmith what justice Jessica Shelton is hoping for, and said her exact quote was, “It’s not my place to decide how one leaves this Earth. It is up to God.”