04-07-2025
'Justice for 'Chello': Erie residents demand answers after fatal shooting
'No justice, no peace.'
The chant echoed at the corner of East 21st and Parade streets on the evening of July 3, where a large crowd gathered to remember — and demand justice for — Marchello D. Woodard, a 43-year-old Erie man shot and killed by a state parole agent the night before.
The gathering was not mournful but energized, as several dozens of people lined the sidewalk waving signs at passing cars and chanting Woodard's nickname, 'Chello.' Drivers honked in support as the crowd responded with raised fists, unified voices and calls for accountability.
Among those in the crowd was Woodard's girlfriend of two years, Chamell Henderson, who said she felt 'blessed' by the community's support.
'My boyfriend was killed for no reason. We're just out here trying to get justice,' she told the Erie Times-News.
The shooting happened in front of Henderson's house — in the 400 block of East 27th Street, between Parade and Wallace streets — shortly before 9:45 p.m. on July 2, according to family members and the city of Erie, whose officers responded to the shooting and provided emergency medical care to an injured Woodard.
Woodard had been sitting in a car when he was shot by the parole officer, whose name has not been released, according to the family and the city.
Erie police were not involved in the shooting, and the Pennsylvania State Police and the Erie County District Attorney's Office are handling the investigation, according to the city and the District Attorney's Office.
More: State parole agent fatally shoots Erie man. State police, DA's Office are investigating
'We want people to realize that everybody's life matters,' Henderson said. 'It shouldn't matter whether you're black, brown, purple, white — whatever color. All lives matter. And he did not deserve this.'
When asked about Woodard, Henderson paused before adding, 'He was everything to everybody.'
The gathering was organized by city residents Malcolm Pullium and Sarah Bridgett, who urged unity in the face of tragedy and called for the community to channel its frustration into peaceful demonstrations.
'We do not want violence,' Pullium said. 'We want peace, unity and most importantly, we want justice for Cello and his family.'
Pullium said he first knew Woodard as a teenager and emphasized that his death struck at the heart of the very community where he was raised.
'He grew up in this neighborhood — and somebody came into that neighborhood and took his life,' Pullium said. 'We are 150% sure that could have been prevented.'
Bridgett asked attendees to wear white T-shirts to symbolize the 'pure love' that Woodard showed the community.
'He was a man of his community — no matter what it was,' she said. 'His goal was to uplift them, to provide for them. He had a heart of gold and always wanted to stay out of harm's way.'
Trelane Sherrod, a city resident and neighborhood watch president, said she didn't know Woodard personally ― but as a mother of five sons, said the shooting hit especially close to home.
'When I learned about it, it broke my heart,' she said. 'That could have been one of my sons or nephews.'
She added, 'I'm here to show support because we are all connected in this community — not just because we're African American, but because everybody is related to somebody here.'
Bridgett and Pullium said their work won't end with the July 3 gathering. They plan to lead a peaceful march on July 5, beginning at 3 p.m. at East 18th and State streets and heading south along State Street.
'It's unfortunate that situations such as this are what brings us together — but at the same time, we have to deal with it and make the best of it,' Bridgett said. "I just want us to accomplish a sense of unity."
'This makes no sense': Mother wants answers to why Pa. state parole officer killed her son
A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@ Follow him on X @ETNRao.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie PA residents seek accountability in fatal shooting of city man
