Shooting of Baby De’Avry: 18-month old shot, killed in Downtown Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — Police are investigating the shooting of 18-month-old De’Avry Thomas in Downtown Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon.

The shooting happened at around 2:44 p.m. in the 100 block of Fourth Avenue. Officials at the scene said it was a drive-by shooting, and a bullet went right through the window of a Jeep, hitting the victim. He was pronounced dead when medics arrived.

During a press conference following the shooting, officials said the shooting was a targeted incident. The victim was not the intended target, but a passenger in the car was.

“I don’t think you can ever say it can be worse when a baby gets killed, or anyone for that matter,” said Cristyn Zett, commander of Pittsburgh Police in Zone 6. “We are actively working nationwide to reduce violence in all of our cities, and any loss of life is tragic.”

Witness Greg Damjanovic heard six gunshots.

“Me and my wife ran to the window,” Damjanovic said. “We just saw the mother get out of her Jeep crying, ‘they shot my baby, they shot my baby!’”

During the press conference, Mayor Ed Gainey vowed to take action.

“I want to show our city we are going to do everything we can to make this summer safe, especially for our children,” Gainey said. “These acts of violence will not hold our city hostage. Enough is enough. We will bring the full weight and power of our combined resources to bear and assure we get the most violent actors off our streets.”

On Monday, Pittsburgh police announced they made an arrest in the shooting.

Londell Falconer, 26, has been charged with homicide and criminal conspiracy.

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