On the evening of February 25, 2019, 58-year-old Wilbert Barber was at his home on Fifth Avenue in Rankin, near Braddock, Pennsylvania, when a knock at the back door prompted him to investigate. As he went to answer, one or more unknown individuals fired multiple shots through the door, striking him in the torso. First responders found Barber inside his residence; he died of the gunshot wounds and his death was ruled a homicide.

Authorities said Barber had been involved in a physical altercation earlier that day at the Edgewood Towne Center, but investigators were unable to definitively link that incident to the killing and no clear motive has been established. Pittsburgh Crime Stoppers and police appealed for information, but the case grew cold; there have been no arrests and no suspects publicly identified.

Friends and family described Barber as charismatic, funny, devoted to his family and his faith; his mother said he called her every morning to check on her. Who knocked on that back door and why remains unanswered — anyone with information is asked to come forward.