On the cold night of December 4, 2017, Richard Harris Jr., a 22-year-old Black man from Pittsburgh, was killed in a burst of gunfire that also claimed the life of another young man. Remembered by his family as a funny, outspoken, and loving son, brother, and uncle, Richard's life was cut short in an act of violence that remains unsolved. His loved ones knew him by several affectionate nicknames, including "Dugan," "richie rich," and "rich poe." He was a father to one child and had attended Westinghouse High School and California University of Pennsylvania. His mother later called him "the best son a mother could have."
The shooting occurred at approximately 11:15 p.m. inside an apartment complex on the 7200 block of Everton Street in Pittsburgh's Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood. When Pittsburgh Police officers arrived, they found a grim scene in a stairwell. Richard and 22-year-old Allen Bailey of Wilkinsburg had both been fatally shot. Two other people, a man and a woman, were also wounded in the attack. They were transported to a local hospital in stable condition, with the woman reportedly suffering injuries from shrapnel.
The community was left shaken by the double homicide. In the immediate aftermath, some residents expressed fear and a desire to move away from the area that had become a violent crime scene. The tragedy was compounded for the family of Allen Bailey, for whom this was the second son lost to gun violence in less than a year. His older brother, Anthony Bailey, had been killed in Pitcairn the previous March. Allen was described by his sister as a devoted family man who "lived and breathed his children and his girlfriend." He was the father of two young sons and had been at the Everton Street apartment building to drop off his girlfriend when the shooting happened.
The investigation into the murders of Richard Harris Jr. and Allen Bailey was launched by the Pittsburgh Police. In the days following the shooting, they appealed to the public for any information that could help identify those responsible. Investigators and search dogs were on the scene for hours, collecting evidence and searching for weapons. However, despite the presence of multiple victims and witnesses, the case proved difficult.
In the years since the shooting, there have been no public announcements regarding any arrests or the identification of suspects. The investigation into the deaths of Richard and Allen appears to have gone cold, leaving their families without answers or justice. The motive for the shooting has never been released by authorities.
As of early 2018, the case remained ongoing with no suspects named. The families of Richard Harris Jr. and Allen Bailey continue to wait for a breakthrough that will bring closure after their devastating loss. Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to contact the Pittsburgh Police at 412-323-7800.
