Pittsburgh-area man accused of chasing transgender woman with knife through parking lot
Darryl Dunn, 54, is in the Allegheny County Jail, facing several charges. According to the criminal complaint, it was just after 11 a.m. on Wednesday when Dunn went up to the victim outside the Giant Eagle store in the Edgewood Towne Center. He is accused of telling the transwoman that he was going to kill her.
"Imagine that you're leaving your home just to go do what you need to do for the day, and that could be your last day," Ciora Thoma, SisTers PGH's executive director.
SisTers PGH serves the transgender community. Thomas said the victim needs their space after this and is not doing any more interviews.
According to Edgewood police, Dunn showed a knife after making the threat and then chased the victim. Court papers said Dunn then went toward the Dollar Tree, a few stores down from the Giant Eagle.
"It takes a toll on anybody, but especially trans folks in a situation like that when we are in positions of being harmed and especially when nobody's there to support us or help us," Thomas said.
Investigators said the victim was still in the area of Giant Eagle when Dunn walked back up to her and said, "I hate the gay community," and started chasing her again. The victim ran into the Giant Eagle and got away from him.
As police spoke with the victim, she saw Dunn and pointed him out to officers, who took him into custody. He faces terroristic threats, simple assault and ethnic intimidation.
Thomas is pleased to see Dunn facing charges, but feels they could be stronger.
"If you really look into the situation and our Pennsylvania law, this certainly goes along the lines with attempted homicide," Thomas said.
While Thomas is glad this situation didn't turn deadly, she questions why no one intervened or tried to stop Dunn.
"Our first reaction shouldn't be to pick up your phone and start recording it. I think it's really important to attempt to and safely attempt to intervene," she said.
KDKA reached out to the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office about the charges, and it said a victim can contact the office to discuss charges. The preliminary hearing is the first opportunity at which the charges can be amended. Dunn has a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 31.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Several dogs found neglected inside camper in Oakdale, suspect facing more than 50 charges
A man facing more than 50 charges of animal cruelty was taken into custody early on Saturday morning in Washington County. According to Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin M. Kraus's office, 36-year-old Joshua Humes was taken into custody Sunday morning after he was charged by North Fayette Township Police with animal neglect and cruelty charges. Police received a tip that several dogs were inside a parked camper on Noblestown Road in Oakdale. Along with the tip, police were provided with photos that revealed the dogs were in small cages that were in deplorable condition. Buildups of feces, urine, and rotting food could be seen in photos, indicating that the dogs had not received proper care in a long time. "The details of the lack of care provided to these dogs and the indifference toward their suffering are egregious, and quite frankly, sickening," said Sheriff Kraus. "I consider anyone who engages in this type of conduct to be a danger to the community, and I commend our detectives for their quick work to locate him and get him off the streets." Acting on the tip, North Fayette Township Police went to the camper and removed the dogs with the help of a humane officer. They were also able to ascertain that Humes was the owner of the camper and the dogs. It was originally agreed that Humes would surrender to police on Monday, but detectives learned that he was planning to leave the area over the weekend. An investigation found that he had gone to a trailer in Bulger, Pa., Washington County. Around 6 a.m. on Saturday morning, Humes was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Allegheny County Jail. Humes is facing more than 30 charges of neglect of animals, more than 10 charges of cruelty to animals, and six charges of aggravated cruelty to animals.
CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
Washington County man sentenced to 5-11 years in prison after 12th DUI conviction
A Washington County man will spend up to 11 years in prison after his 12th DUI conviction. According to the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office, 68-year-old William Strogish of Ellsworth was sentenced to five-to-11 years in prison for an accident that injured three motorcyclists in 2023. Ligonier Valley Police charged Strogish in November 2023 with DUI and causing the accident that occurred on Laurel Mountain in July 2023. He allegedly struck four motorcyclists who were traveling in the opposite direction when his SUV swerved into the opposite lane. Those victims have since undergone multiple surgeries, and some have lifelong, permanent injuries. According to the DA's office, Strogish has not had a valid license since 1976 and was designated as a habitual offender in the past.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Nigerian woman buoyed by kindness of neighbours after racist attack
A Nigerian woman targeted in racist graffiti attack has decided not to leave her home after being "showered" in "love and care" by the local community. The words "immigrants out" were spray-painted on the gable wall of Uche Ukeje's home in Strabane, County Tyrone, last week. Ms Ukeje and her two daughters, aged 24 and 14, were left terrified by what police are describing as a racially-motivated hate crime. "The community have been wonderful," she told BBC News NI. Ms Ukeje said it was the first time she or her family had experienced any type of racism since they moved to Strabane two years ago. Security cameras have since been installed at the property. Ms Ukeje said her family remain "deeply unsettled" and had considered relocating away from Strabane but the overwhelming support from neighbours and wider community has persuaded her to change her mind. "A lot of people have been calling around, to see how I am feeling, and they care so much," she said, adding that Strabane is a "quiet, and peace-loving place". She told BBC News NI that the police have been doing extra patrols on her street to check on her. "The people of Strabane have showered me in love and care, it has been overwhelming," she added. Kamini Rao, from Strabane Ethnic Community Association, said people's shock turned to anger in the days following the incident. "The response from the community has been so overwhelming," she said. "Everybody has been 100% behind Uche and the girls, supporting them, because nobody wanted to see them leaving Strabane." She said she was glad that Ms Ukeje and her daughters have changed their minds and will remain in the place they now call home. Ms Rao said the outcome proved that whoever was behind the racist attack had not won. "We're going to be working on the ground to make sure nothing like this ever happens again in the community," she said. "She's loved round here and what happened to her was very intimidating, it was a disgrace what happened to her. "I'm glad her neighbours rallied round to show her that that's not the type of people here in Strabane." More on this story Mother terrified as home targeted in racist attack
