Father Wants Witnesses To Come Forward In Son's Slaying

A 17-year-old boy was found shot to death in North Braddock on Tuesday, and now his father is asking anyone with information to come forward.

Police were called to the scene after the body of Jamal Holyfield, of North Braddock, was found in a grassy vacant lot at the corner of Bell Avenue and Robinson Street.

A memorial full of flowers and other mementos has been set up in North Braddock.

Holyfield was the cousin of Adrianne Young, a member of the group "Tree of Hope" that works with families of murder victims.

“You know, this is the work that I do and when it hits home like this, it's hard," said Young.

Investigators said the gunman fired a total of 12 shots at Holyfield. Four shell casings were found in the middle of Bell Avenue. The evidence, police said, suggests that the gunman was shooting at Holyfield, who ran toward the vacant lot, where his body was later found.

Channel 11 News spoke with the victim's father, Floyd Holyfield, who said his son was well-known and had many friends.

"If they are his friends, they'll come forward with whoever did this and call the police," Holyfield said. "Somebody saw something. I just hope they come out and do the right thing."

Neighbors said they heard gunshots late Monday night, but police said no one has come forward with any information about a suspect.

"It's a common thing around here," said Asst. Supt. James Morton of the Allegheny County police. "People just let it go until someone's found."

Police are continuing their investigation into the shooting death.