Michael Ghafoor, 22, was shot and killed on January 31, 2007, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His death occurred during a period when firearms accounted for roughly 80 percent of the city’s homicides and the city averaged about 51 homicides per year from 2000 to 2012. The broader data show that young African American men were disproportionately affected: more than 86 percent of homicide victims in that span were African American, most were male, and African American men in Pittsburgh were estimated to be about 15 times more likely to be homicide victims than white residents.

Ghafoor’s killing is presented as part of these wider patterns of violence concentrated in communities with high poverty and limited resources. No suspects have been publicly identified and the case remains unsolved. If anyone knew Michael, witnessed the shooting, or has information that could help investigators, please contact Pittsburgh authorities.