FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 13, 2023
TWO MEN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDER OF 18-MONTH OLD CHILD IN DOWNTOWN SHOOTING
PITTSBURGH — Markez Anger, 24, of Wilkinsburg, and Londell Falconer, Jr., 27, of Wilmerding, were sentenced on Wednesday, Sept. 13, in Judge Beemers courtroom.
Both Anger and Falconer were sentenced to life in prison without parole. The two men were found guilty last June of first-degree murder of 18-month-old, De’Avry Thomas.
De’Avry was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in downtown Pittsburgh on May 29, 2022. According to the criminal complaint, Anger and Falconer were driving a Jeep Compass downtown when one of the men opened fire on a parked Jeep at the intersection of Fourth Ave. and Stanwix St. De’Avry was shot multiple times while strapped into a car seat in the back of the Jeep. He was not the intended target.
Anger and Falconer were also found guilty of conspiracy to commit homicide, attempted homicide and aggravated assault. Anger’s charges also included firearms not be carried without a license and prohibited possession of a firearm.
“The evidence in this case proved guilt beyond doubt and was irrefutable thanks to the investigative work of the Pittsburgh Police,” said DA Zappala. “This was a heinous, senseless crime that resulted in the loss of an innocent child’s life. We are pleased with the sentencing outcome, and our hearts go out to the family of De’Avry during this time.”
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The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office serves an area of approximately 740 square miles and a population of over 1.2 million people. It employs more than 200 employees, including more than 100 attorneys, detectives, crime scene analysts and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office serves as the Chief Law Enforcement Office of the county and accepts referrals from more than 100 active police departments including the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Allegheny County Police Department and the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department. For more information, please visit alleghenycountyda.us.
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Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office