14-Year-Old Shot To Death In Larimer; 19-Year-Old In Critical

PITTSBURGH,None — A double shooting leads to the death of a teenager and a SWAT situation in Pittsburgh's Larimer neighborhood.

Channel 11 News learned 14-year-old Stephon Smith's body was found behind an apartment building along Meadow Street shortly before midnight. He had been shot several times, police said.

"I heard three shots. Only three shots, 'bang, bang, bang,'" said neighbor Angel Sanchez.

A 19-year-old was also shot and is in critical condition, police said. Investigators said the victim's injuries are life threatening.

Following the shootings, the SWAT team was called to the apartment to search for the gunman, but they weren't able to make an arrest. Investigators also searched a vacant church nearby, but were unable to locate the suspect.

Police continued to stand guard in the neighborhood Thursday morning and afternoon, as they waited to get inside of an apartment building to search for clues.

"Anytime there is a shooting death or any kind of tragedy it's never good," said Pittsburgh police Commander Thomas Stangrecki.

Smith's sisters spoke to Channel 11 News on Thursday afternoon and said their brother was the youngest of 7 who was looking forward to his freshman year at Westinghouse High School.

"I was the sister closest to him. I can't even wake up and see my brother no more," said Smith's sister Ausha Howard.

"He was raised out here. He knew everybody. I don't see why this would happen to him. He's only 14. He's a baby," said Emmalee Howard, Smith's older sister.

Emmalee Howard said she was playing video games with him 30 minutes before he was gunned down and killed.

"He was funny. Kept you laughing all the time," Emmalee Howard said. "I just want them [the shooter] to come forward. You just can't go around shooting people. You don't even know him. He's 14. Got a whole family here. Now we're missing a family member. We just cry and cry all day."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pittsburgh police.

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