Neil Yackovich, 47, of Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, was fatally shot in the early hours of Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The shooting occurred about 12:45 a.m. near Butler Street and Stanton Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood as Yackovich was reportedly walking back to his truck after leaving a bar. He died of a single gunshot wound to the abdomen; the death has been ruled a homicide.

Police arrested 21-year-old Nykia Pearl Ann Edwards of Clairton and charged her with criminal homicide after reviewing video from the scene and interviewing the Airbnb renter who had a nearby party. Edwards told police she was outside with her girlfriend when Yackovich ran toward her and she believed he had a sharp silver object, possibly a pocketknife, so she fired one shot; she said she realized he was unarmed afterward. Investigators say video footage reviewed did not show Yackovich with a weapon or attacking Edwards. Edwards fled, discarded a 9mm handgun in a yard, then took a bus to the South Side; she reportedly did not have a valid concealed-carry permit and was wanted on a bench warrant for receiving stolen property and traffic offenses.

Friends described Yackovich as a great man with a big heart who likely was trying to get away rather than run at anyone. Does anyone who was in Lawrenceville that night or who knew Neil have information that could help clarify what happened?