Innocent mother of young boy shot and killed outside pub in Uniontown

UNIONTOWN, Pa. — A makeshift memorial is growing on the sidewalk outside of McPatton’s Pub in Uniontown.

A half a dozen shots were fired Thursday night and the only person hit, and killed, was Samantha Harden. Police described her as a completely innocent victim, as they continue to search for leads.

Samantha Harden was a daughter and a sister. She was the mom of a 12-year-old boy.

“She was the most easiest going person. She’d give the shirt off her back. Anything you’d want or needed, she would give it to you. She didn’t deserve this,” her father, Samuel Harden said.

“This could’ve been a random act of violence. It could’ve been a drive by, we have to look into everything before we say ‘this is what it was and this is who it is,’” Uniontown Police Lt. Tom Kolencik said.

Police believe there was some kind of altercation at McPatton’s Pub before six shots were fired. ”Video shows them out in front of the bar and moments later, six shots rang out and our female was shot in a vital area,” Kolencik said. “Wrong place, wrong time. Definitely an innocent victim.”

As police continue to investigate and canvass the area for any evidence and video that can help lead to her killer, Samantha’s family is remembering her for who she was as a person, a mom and a friend. ”She liked to joke and carry on with people and have a good time with anybody. It’s a shame someone could do something like this,” Harden said.

“She would do anything in the world for anybody. She worked her butt off for her kid,” friend Brandy Whoolery said.

Her father has a message of his own to the person who pulled the trigger: “You realize what you did to a family that you tore apart ... a kid that’s 12 years old, his grandfather who’s 72 years old, had to tell him his mother’s shot; the person that did this, I hope God does something to you,” Harden said.

“Now it’s just me and him, it’s just terrible.”

Police are asking neighbors to check video or doorbell cameras, and if anyone saw anything Thursday night, to call Uniontown Police.

The family has put together a GoFundMe for Samantha’s funeral expenses. If you’d like to donate, click here.

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