News

Witness testifies in case of teen accused of July 4th shooting

A witness testified Friday in the case of a teen accused of shooting and wounding four people in downtown Pittsburgh.

The four victims who were wounded on the Fourth of July were not in court, but a witness was, and what he said had the courtroom riveted.

Prosecutors said a Port Authority bus surveillance video helped identify 16-year-old Kishawn Jackson as the suspect.

“It was fast. (He) just put out his arm and bam bam bam that fast. Everybody ran,” Richard Brannigan testified.

Minutes after Brannigan testified, he told Channel 11 what he told the judge about the shooting, which happened just after the fireworks.

He said he saw the shooter, but could not identify the shooter as Kishawn Jackson. Brannigan said the shooter was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, and Brannigan described the shooter’s clothing and height.

The prosecution is building its case around surveillance video that shows a group of teens running away from the scene. Prosecutors played that video in court, identifying Jackson as the shooter who was getting on and off a Port Authority bus.

However, Jackson’s defense attorney said several anonymous witnesses have also come forward, and he showed Channel 11 a letter that he hopes will eventually free his young client

"The videos are blurry, the case as a whole is circumstantial,” said defense attorney Casey White. “He’s a tough kid, keeping his head up. He’s anxious for the truth to come out.”

Prosecutors contend Jackson is siding with a group of teens in the East End who are feuding with teens from the North Side. His family said they will have more to say as the case moves forward.

RELATED: