Suspects charged in killing of pregnant 18-year-old in Clairton
Two people are facing charges in the death of an 18-year-old soon-to-be mother who was shot and killed in Clairton earlier this summer.
On July 13, several police departments responded to reports of a pregnant woman who had been shot multiple times. Ultimately, she was identified as 18-year-old Ja'el Torres. Less than an hour after she was found, she and her unborn child were pronounced dead.
As detectives began their investigation, they searched the building and found several shell casings, as well as multiple guns and ammo.
Following a sweep of the crime scene, police then interviewed a man who had also been shot on July 13, Calid Pettiford, who was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The interview revealed that Pettiford had been feuding with someone, but he refused to name any names.
Ultimately, police said they were able to identify 19-year-old Darryl Pirl and 21-year-old Tyjeir Williams-Cunningham as suspects in the shooting. Both are facing charges of criminal homicide, aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy. Pirl is already in federal custody on unrelated charges, and Williams-Cunningham was taken to the Allegheny County Jail.
On Aug. 1, family gathered to release lanterns into the sky in Torres' memory. It was supposed to be her baby shower.
"She was very excited; it was her first. I was excited for her," her mother, Rackelle Greene, said.
"Ja'el was loved, as you can see," Tiara Snyder said. "But nobody wants to be here. Nobody wants to have to do this."
At the time of the ceremony, the family said their focus shifted to justice.
"We are going to get justice for Ja'el. She was 18, had a pure heart. She had a whole life ahead of her. Her unborn baby - they didn't deserve this," her aunt, Brittnay Gonzales, said.
