Authorities identify teen fatally shot in Wilkinsburg
Authorities have identified the 15-year-old boy shot to death Monday night in Wilkinsburg as Tyrelle Bowyer.
Wilkinsburg police and paramedics responded to South Dell Way at 7:18 p.m. for a report of a male bleeding and lying in the street near Penn Avenue.
Officers found the teen with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead there at 7:27 p.m.
Police said the area where Tyrelle was found is wooded and rarely used by vehicles.
Scrap Wilson, 43, of Swissvale, said he coached Tyrelle on community football and baseball teams and said the boy was good friends with his own teenage son.
“I can’t believe this,” he said Tuesday, his voice choked with emotion. “They’re kids. They’re just kids.”
Tyrelle played outfield for the Swissvale Orioles baseball team and was a linebacker and defensive end on the Swissvale Flashes football team, Mr. Wilson said.
He described the teenager as a dedicated, hardworking player.
“[He] is a good kid,” Mr. Wilson said. “He is respectful, wellmannered.”
Tyrelle would look out for Mr. Wilson’s son and protect him from bullies at Woodland Hills High School, Mr. Wilson said.
“He was outgoing. He was loved,” Mr. Wilson said. “And he was a little tougher than most of them. He was a security blanket for me to know I have someone to have my son’s back.”
When Mr. Wilson told his son that his friend had been killed, the teenager barely registered the news, he said. Tyrelle’s slaying marks the fourth friend his
son has lost in two months, Mr. Wilson said.
“It’s starting to become emotionless for him,” Mr. Wilson said. “When I tell him, it’s like, ‘Oh, another one.’ And I’m like, ‘You’re not supposed to feel this way. This is supposed to be emotional.’ It’s not supposed to be bland and dull, like ‘another one.’”
He last saw Tyrelle a couple of days ago, when the teen came to the baseball field to hang out during another team’s practice.
“He came down, walked up to me, gave me the firm handshake like he always did and gave me a hello,” Mr. Wilson said.
County homicide detectives ask anyone who might have seen or heard anything regarding the shooting to contact the police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-2558477). Callers can remain anonymous.