Police have identified the victim of Sunday night’s deadly shooting in Johnstown as a Georgia teenager, 18-year-old Tavion Williamson.
Police said Williamson was shot and killed around 8:30pm Sunday in an alley off of Pine Street in the Hornerstown neighborhood of Johnstown. Coroner Jeff Lees said Williamson died from multiple gunshot wounds at the scene. His death was ruled a homicide.
Williamson’s aunt, Shaketa Salter, said he had moved in with her about a year ago from Georgia to have a better life.
She said the last time she saw her nephew was after they had attended a family member’s birthday party earlier Sunday evening. Later that night, Salter said Williamson took a phone call, left their house and never returned.
“He just got a phone call last night. I don’t know what happened. I get a phone call saying my nephew is gone,” Salter said.
Investigators are still searching for a suspect. They said they are looking for surveillance video and asking witnesses to come forward.
“I can’t speculate at this time on motive. I’m just hoping the public will help us at this time with calling in any information at this time that they have,” said Kelly Callihan, the Cambria County District Attorney.
Investigators said this is the tenth homicide in Cambria County in 2017. Six of the victims were in their late teens or early 20s.
Williamson’s family said too many young men are being killed.
“If it ain’t from the drugs, it’s from the guns, the gangs. I don’t know. I just pray that it gets better,” said Calvin Taylor, the victim’s cousin who Williamson affectionately called “uncle.”
“He left his mark on everybody, kids and all. I just want justice for my baby. That’s all,” Salter said.
Police are asking anyone with information on the shooting to contact them by calling: 814-472-2100.