Recent high school graduate shot and killed in Pittsburgh

A recent graduate of Pittsburgh Allderdice High School was shot and killed on Tuesday night in the city's East Hills neighborhood. 

Tristan Taylor, a member of the Pittsburgh Allderdice class of 2026, was fatally shot along Wilner Drive just before 10 p.m., officials said. The 18-year-old planned to attend the Community College of Allegheny County in the fall to pursue business, according to a statement from Pittsburgh Public Schools. 

"Those who knew Tristan describe him as the kind of student who could befriend anyone. He was always willing to listen, support others, and make those around him feel seen, whether he had known them for years or had just met them," the statement added.

At least six shell casings were recovered from the scene of the shooting, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson Eliza Durham. 

"We do know multiple shots were fired at this time," Durham said. 

Pittsburgh Public Safety said that the early investigation appears to show that the shooting happened after a fight broke out and that the 18-year-old was shot in the abdomen. 

"The two girls were going to pepper-spray my niece," Jokima Brown, the victim's mother, told KDKA-TV on Wednesday. "All my son said was, 'Ain't nobody pepper spraying my cousin.'"

"Next thing I know, I hear pop pop pop," Brown added. 

What Brown saw next is an image that will now live with her forever.

"I just see my son on the floor with all this blood coming out his mouth," she said. "He was looking around, he was looking for me. I was outside trying to call 911."

Brown said they were leaving a balloon release for her nephew, Taylor's cousin, who died eight years ago Tuesday. She moved away from the area after the 2018 tragedy, but moved back due to financial reasons.

On Tuesday, the family found themselves memorializing one minute and mourning the next.

"He's my rainbow baby," Brown said. "He's like, 'I want to go to college, save money, I want us to move. I hate we had to come back here.' I wish I would've kept him away because he didn't deserve this."  

The alleged shooter is believed to have left the area on foot. Police have not released a suspect description, and Pittsburgh Public Safety said that the shooting investigation remains both active and ongoing.

"I'm going to press for my child because he did not deserve what happen to him last night," Brown said.