2 men arrested in shooting deaths of Pittsburgh mother, 4-year-old daughter
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Two men were arrested in the shooting deaths of a mother and her 4-year-old daughter in Pittsburgh's Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood last year.
Police said 21-year-old Marquise Givner and 19-year-old Tarrell Jennings were arrested Friday morning on homicide charges in 21-year-old Temani Lewis and her 4-year-old daughter Kaari Thompson's deaths.
Police were called to a shooting on Lincoln Avenue near the Brooklyn Food Mart on the evening of Dec. 1, 2022.
When first responders arrived, they found Lewis and Thompson with gunshot wounds. Thompson was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Lewis was taken to the hospital in critical condition but died from her injuries on Dec. 6.
According to police paperwork, Lewis is seen on surveillance video sitting in the driver's seat of her Jeep Cherokee parked in front of the Brooklyn Food Mart.
Detectives say three people are seen walking toward Lewis' Jeep when they stop and begin shooting. Gunfire flashes are seen in the video further up the street, which indicates a fourth suspect.
While all four suspects ran from the scene, additional camera footage shows one of the suspects getting into a white Malibu on Lincoln Avenue.
Through license plate readers, detectives were able to identify the vehicle's owner as the mother of Tarrell Jennings.
KDKA-TV caught up with detectives who say they're happy to finally hold someone accountable.
"We still have more work to do but we're very very happy with what happened this morning," said Detective Daniel Zeltner.
After Thompson's death, the community gathered to remember the 4-year-old girl as a beautiful life taken too soon.
"She was the most beautiful, loveable, adorable grandchild any grandparent could want," her grandfather Kirk Thompson said at a balloon release. "In four years, she gave me joy that most people can get in 40 years."
Both Givner and Jennings are charged with criminal homicide, criminal attempt, criminal conspiracy and aggravated assault. Givner is also charged with carrying a firearm without a license.