Man killed on street in a Pittsburgh neighborhood remember him as “an all-around good kid”

PITTSBURGH — A man was shot and killed Tuesday night on a street in Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighborhood, police said.

Multiple ShotSpotter alerts around 9:15 p.m. notified police to the gunfire along East Hills Drive.

There, officers found 20-year-old Michael Smith lying unconscious in the street with multiple gunshot wounds, investigators said. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

“I come outside and its him and Matt, Matt is Michael’s brother. And Matt is on the ground screaming…its Michael,” said April Payne. “I got down on the ground with mike but he was already gone.”

Payne lives next door to Smith and her son is also best friends with him. She tells Channel 11 News, whoever killed Smith, clearly didn’t know him.

“They thought that he was in a gang. They didn’t know who he was. He was just walking home. He was trying to come home,” said Payne.

According to Smith’s Godfather, Bryan Paynther, the 20-year-old was was a talented musician and could play multiple instruments. Smith was also active in his church.

“I don’t know if you can describe what they took from the world,” said Paynther. “He always had a smile. He taught himself how to play over 5 instruments. He was just an all around a good kid.”

Channel 11 also spoke to Smith’s mother Carmen Randall.

“You took away something that belong to me,” said Randall.

Randall, who is left feeling numb, says she wants justice for her boy who brought so much joy to others.

“One thing for sure and two things for certain, you will reap what you sew. And you will be caught. Because that’s what I am praying and so are a lot of other folks,” said Randall.

Pittsburgh Police have not made an arrest in this case.

In the meantime Smith’s family needs help laying him to rest. They have set up a go fund me page. If you can help them this evening please donate here:

1 man is dead after shooting incident in Pittsburgh

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