Allegheny County Police investigate deadly shooting in Wilkinsburg
WILKINSBURG (KDKA) - Allegheny County police said a man is dead after a shooting in Wilkinsburg late Saturday night. It comes a few days after Pittsburgh police found the body of a close friend of his.
The two were rising artists and producers in the local music community, and now those who knew them are looking for answers.
Mike Tomlin, not the Steelers' coach, was a man thriving in the Pittsburgh music scene and dipping his toes nationally.
Jamal Campbell said Tomlin's life was cut short after the shooting Saturday night in Wilkinsburg. Allegheny County police said it happened on Franklin Avenue by Midland. The medical examiner has yet to identify him.
#DEVELOPING: Close friends tell me Mike Tomlin died in Sat. night #Wilkinsburg shooting. @AlleghenyCoPD say happened on Franklin Ave, no one in custody
— Lauren Linder (@lauren_linder) May 29, 2023
Friends tell me Mike was a singer, rapper & producer thriving in #Pittsburgh music scene, & dipping his toes nationally.@KDKA pic.twitter.com/4gZFyYULEW
"Tomlin was just a true, loving spirit, an energized spirit, where anybody that came around him just loved him," Campbell said. "He used to do events with us, sing, rap, all types of different stuff, and then became a producer."
Campbell met Tomlin when Tomlin was about 19 years old, just starting out, and Campbell gave him opportunities to perform at parties and events through his entertainment company and his music label.
Eventually, Tomlin brought on Jerry Gardner.
#MORE: Shooting death of Mike Tomlin in Wilkinsburg came a few days after @PghPolice @PghPublicSafety found the body of his close friend, Jerry Gardner. Both left behind a major impact on the local music community
— Lauren Linder (@lauren_linder) May 29, 2023
No arrests in Jerry’s case either@KDKA #Pittsburgh pic.twitter.com/OZTMm96rmx
"They were like brothers," Campbell said.
Campbell was also killed by gun violence, with Pittsburgh police recovering his body wrapped in a tarp a few days ago.
"It's a big loss for the city, for the city in general, like for both of them to be gone within a short period of time," Campbell said. "They didn't live their life that long, but while they were here, they enjoyed it to the fullest."
Campbell is sad, angry, and confused and wants justice for both of them.
"I just really can't imagine like, why would anyone want to do this to either one of them," Campbell said.
However, he knows their legacies will live on.
"He'll be here forever because his music is here, and he's in our hearts," Campbell said.
KDKA reached out to county police for an update. They said they have yet to take anyone into custody in Tomlin's death. The same is the case in Pittsburgh with Gardner.
At this time no word on whether the two crimes are related.
The public is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Department if they have information on Tomlin. County police can be reached at 412-473-1200. Additionally, if you have any information on Gardner, you're asked to call the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police at 412-323-7800.
Tips can be submitted anonymously through 1-833-ALL-TIPS.