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Vigil held for Penn Hills teen who was fatally shot; investigation continues

PENN HILLS, Pa. — A vigil was held Wednesday for a teenager who was shot and killed outside a middle school in Penn Hills.

Deven Holloway, 16, was fatally shot near a car in the parking lot of Linton Middle School around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

John Wilson, Holloway's cousin, was among the more than 100 friends and family members at the vigil.

"Everyone is pretty much speechless right now. We're just trying to find an answer," Wilson said.

Holloway's former football coach said the teen was good-spirited and never showed a mean streak.

"The Deven that I knew definitely didn't deserve this, and this is why it's going to be so hard on a lot of people," Craig Davis said. "You could ask him for anything. He was caring and giving."

The coroner ruled Holloway's death a homicide. Allegheny County police told Channel 11 News that they have spoken with several people about the shooting, and no arrests have been made.

Police questioned a 22-year-old man who voluntarily went to police Tuesday.

The man's attorney, Phil DiLucente, said his client fired a gun in self-defense and his client was there to play a game of basketball.

"He was attacked with the gun," DiLucente said. "The gun did hit his person and as a result, he returned fire."

The man is licensed to carry a firearm and was defending himself, DiLucente said. The man was released after police questioned him.

A gun was found next to Holloway's body, and police are still determining where that firearm came from. Police said Holloway was with a friend, but it's not clear why they were at the school.

"It's our understanding that they go up and play basketball at the basketball courts," said Chief Howard Burton of the Penn Hills Police Department.

County police said they are going through evidence and surveillance video. Police are expected to meet with officials from the district attorney's office on Thursday to determine if charges should be filed.

At the time of the shooting, police said students had already been dismissed for the day, but after-school activities were taking place. Some students said they heard the sound of gunfire.

"Fifth-graders who heard shots, counted the shots, they were inside door and started coming out," said Burton. "When they heard shots, they went back in school."

Holloway was a student at Penn Hills High School. On Wednesday, the district canceled classes for students at Penn Hills Elementary School, Linton Middle School and Penn Hills High School. Classes will resume Thursday, a district spokesperson said.

The district said a counselor would be available for students and staff. On Tuesday, the district issued the following statement:

"The Board of Directors of the Penn Hills School District extends their deepest sympathies to the family of the student killed today and shares the sadness with all the families of Penn Hills students.  We have directed the schools to be closed so that our families can begin to make sense of this tragedy.  We have directed grief counseling to be available to students and staff for as long as needed.  The Board will hold a prayer vigil tomorrow at 6 pm at Linton Middle School.  All are welcome to attend."

Stay with Channel 11 News and wpxi.com for the latest developments.