Homicide victim identified as North Braddock teenager

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Authorities have identified the 15-year-old who was shot to death Wednesday in Duquesne as Lezra Rice of North Braddock, a student at Propel Braddock Hills High School.

Allegheny County Police said Lezra was shot multiple times shortly after 5 p.m. and pronounced dead about 90 minutes later at a hospital.

Janey Cink, a spokeswoman for Propel, said classes had been canceled Thursday.

“The news of his death has deeply saddened our school family. This loss is being felt by everyone here,” Ms. Cink said, adding that grief counselors were brought in to assist staff and students.

The shooting occurred on William Street between an alley and a field known locally as “the hollow,” a former scrapyard that serves as a cut-through to the Duquesne Youth Athletic Association football field.

William Jakub, 34, of Duquesne, said Lezra was shot near vacant property he owns.

“This kind of thing, it just breaks your heart,” Mr. Jakub said. “And you can’t blame the kids. It’s called parenting and responsibility. Where did the gun come from? Someone didn’t notice it missing? I don’t understand it.”

Allegheny County court records show that Lezra is the child of Arik Morgan and Irvin Rice Jr. Neither could be reached Thursday.