Man Dies After Being Shot In Head While Traveling Through City
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A man who was shot while in the passenger seat of a car traveling through the city earlier this month has died.
The Allegheny County medical examiner's office says 35-year-old Anton Kemaev was pronounced dead at UPMC Presbyterian on Thursday afternoon.
"She met him in high school. First love. It's her life. Her husband," said friend Vladimir Shlyakhtim.
Vladimir Shlyakhtim translated Olga Kemaev's words. She's Anton's widow and can't speak any English. She just arrived in Pittsburgh a few days ago to be by her husband's side.
"It was his dream to come to the United States," stated Shlyakhtim.
Anton has been in the United States since the end of September, and was planning on going to Alaska after a visit in Pittsburgh before heading back to Siberia in January. He was an avid outdoorsman and was here to explore. It was only his second time in the United States.
"He liked CrossFit. He was trying to bring American sport to Russia," said Shlyakhtim.
Last Tuesday, Anton's plans and dreams came to an end. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. A random victim in a shooting on Second Avenue in South Oakland during rush hour. A friend was driving the car he was in. After Anton was shot, he drove in a panic to the South Side Flats until police arrived to help.
"He saw a hole in the windshield looked and Anton had a big hole in his head," said Shlyakhtim.
Anton leaves behind three young children who still don't know their father is gone and it's up to Olga to tell them when she returns to Russia.
As for what happened...
"It could have been anyone with a mother with kids in a car," said friend Nicole Miller.
A shooter is still on the loose.
Police do not believe Kemaev or the driver were the intended target.
"We hope justice and murder and bring it to the court system in America," said Shlyakhtim.
Anton's wife said her husband was an organ donor. He saved four lives.
She says she will be heading back to Russia with his ashes after her husband has funeral services next week.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with medical and funeral expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/4wdych4
Police ask anyone with information about this shooting to contact police at 412-323-7161.
