There were few clues following McKeesport's first homicide of 2003, which occurred in Mckeesport's Fifth Ward near Fairview Cemetery.



"Within minutes, one of our detectives just happened to be driving by" said Police Chief Ron Willard.



"Joe Osinski. Detective Joseph Osinski was the only one to allege that."




... gunfire resulted in the death of Thomas C. Holmes, 44, of Fairview Street. County homicide Sgt. Jeffrey Korczyk said witnesses heard three or four gunshots in Holmes' neighborhood. Shortly thereafter, Holmes frantically ran up to a man as he was entering his home at 637 Madison Ave., a half-block from Holmes' home, and said, "Please help me. They're trying to shoot me."

The man, who told police it appeared Holmes had been shot and was bleeding, feared for the safety of his 9-year-old daughter inside. He told Holmes he would call 911 and went inside his home. The resident had his back to the door when he heard three or four shots fired very close to his home. In fact, Korczyk said, the man said his door shook when it was struck by a slug from a .380-caliber semiautomatic.

"Had it been a higher caliber weapon, the bullet would have gone through the door and he would have been shot in the back," Korczyk said. The man opened the door to see Holmes lying there.




City and Allegheny County homicide detectives are investigating the January 9 shooting.


"Another Pittsburgh area murder suspect is awaiting trial..."






A police officer happened by
just as the man was calling 911...