A lot of the violence on McKeesport streets can be linked to specific motives, such as drugs or gang activity.

A lot of it can't be, however, and that is becoming a legitimate concern, particularly in light of two recent incidents.

On Feb. 18, a 47-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition after someone fired shots from the intersection into her home in the 1700 block of Beech Street. The victim is expected to recover.

However, on Feb. 20, Brandon Barley, 60, was killed in Pope Alley near his home along the 2900 block of Jenny Lind Street.

Posters on social media couldn't imagine what would cause the death of this plumbing company owner. Allegheny County investigators have made no arrests nor commented on a motive.

“He's not a troublemaker. If anything, he's a peacemaker,” Barley's sister Kim Smith of North Versailles said at a vigil on Sunday. “This is really a shock to everybody. To the community, period, because everybody knows him.”

“Brandon was a vital part of this community,” said the Rev. Richard Truss of Zion Baptist Church. “His family is not the only victim. The community is a victim. We're all victims.”

There have been quite a few unsolved murders in McKeesport, and it's hard to imagine that number isn't boosted by the unwillingness of witnesses to come forward.

If that doesn't change, then what stops the thugs who have no worries about getting away with murder?

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