Peter Spencer, 29, had been living in Allegheny County, but was shot multiple times and died while on a camping trip in Venango County last December.
“Whenever there is injustice, all of us are called to respond,” said Rev. Dr. Larry Pickens during a news conference at the Bethel AME Church.
Pickens represented the Pennsylvania Council of Churches and was joined by Bishop Errenous E. McCloud Jr. of the Third Episcopal District of the AME Church, the Black Political Empowerment Project and church leaders from the Pittsburgh region.
“No person coming to America, slave or free, deserves to be shot at like an animal,” McCloud said. “I’m asking the government, I’m asking anybody with a conscience in Pennsylvania to come forward and make sure justice is done.”
Spencer had reportedly been with a group, including his former co-worker, at the time of the shooting. Spencer was the only Black man in the group, and church leaders who spoke Wednesday believe the shooting death was racially motivated.
State police seized multiple firearms and controlled substances from the scene. Several people were questioned, but they were ultimately released per consultation with the district attorney.
Spencer’s mother and fiancee were present during the news conference, along with their attorney, Paul Jubas.
Jubas said that investigators are not providing updates.
“We haven’t received any insight, and it’s extremely difficult to imagine any sort of justification for neither pressing charges, for releasing anybody, there’s no justification for not sharing autopsy photos,” Jubas said. “It’s hard to imagine any sort of justification for how this investigation has been handled so far.”
Photographs of Spencer’s wounded body were on display during the news conference. Jubas said they had been provided by the funeral director. He claimed Venango County investigators have mischaracterized where on his body Spencer was shot.
Investigators in Venango County have asked for the public’s patience as the investigation continues.
Church leaders and other advocates have requested the involvement of the attorney general’s office as well as federal authorities.
“We are not going away, not today, not tomorrow, not next month or next year,” McCloud said. “This is their waiting game and our tragedy.”
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