Wilkinsburg mass shooting survivor says people responsible ‘have to answer to God’

WILKINSBURG, Pa. — One of the survivors of the Wilkinsburg mass shooting said the people responsible will have to answer to God.

John Ellis was paralyzed from the March 2016 shooting at a cookout on Franklin Avenue that took the life of five people and an unborn baby.

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A jury found suspect Cheron Shelton not guilty on Friday.

His co-defendant, Robert Thomas, had the charges against him dismissed due to a lack of evidence minutes before the trial began earlier this month.

"I was an innocent bystander at a cookout. The only person they'll have to answer to, if they did do it, is God," Ellis said.

Ellis told Channel 11 he never met Shelton or Thomas. Now his focus is on staying healthy and adjusting to his new life.

But he also is holding out hope that one day there will be justice.

“Whoever did it, I hope they get caught,” Ellis said. “You can’t walk scot-free all of your life. Something’s going to happen.”

Here’s more of that interview:

RAW: Extended interview with Wilkinsburg mass shooting victim RAW: Extended interview with Wilkinsburg mass shooting victim

Reaction pours in after not guilty verdict in Wilkinsburg mass shooting trial Reaction pours in after not guilty verdict in Wilkinsburg mass shooting trial

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