Devon Smith, 34, Fatally Shot in Deadly Confrontation at Pittsburgh Sunoco Gas Station; Store Employee Arrested and Charged
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — A routine stop at a local gas station turned into a deadly confrontation early Saturday morning, claiming the life of 34-year-old Devon Smith and leaving another man injured. The incident occurred at a Sunoco gas station in the city’s East Hills neighborhood, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting swift action from law enforcement.
According to the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, officers were dispatched to the Sunoco station on Frankstown Avenue around 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, following reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers discovered two men suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot of the convenience store.
Devon Smith, a lifelong Pittsburgh resident and father of two, was found critically injured with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and back. He was transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. The second victim, who has not yet been publicly identified, was treated at the scene and later hospitalized for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg.
Following an initial investigation and review of surveillance footage, police arrested a Sunoco store employee, identified as 29-year-old Marcus Hayes, in connection with the shooting. Hayes has been charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements from police, the confrontation began inside the gas station and escalated rapidly after a verbal dispute turned physical. Witnesses reported that a heated argument broke out between Hayes and Smith over an alleged dispute involving a store transaction or item, though the exact nature of the disagreement remains under investigation.
Surveillance video allegedly shows Hayes retrieving a firearm from behind the counter, exiting the store, and firing multiple rounds at the two men as they attempted to leave the premises. Devon Smith was struck multiple times as he fled, collapsing just steps away from the door. The second man was hit in the leg while attempting to escape.
“This is an incredibly tragic incident that could have been avoided,” said Pittsburgh Police Commander Lavonnie Bickerstaff. “The use of deadly force in this situation was not justified, and the individual responsible is now facing serious consequences.”
Friends and family members of Devon Smith are mourning the loss of a man they described as loyal, loving, and deeply devoted to his children and community. Smith, who worked as a delivery driver and coached youth basketball in his spare time, was known for his outgoing personality and his dedication to turning his life around after a troubled youth.
“He had his struggles, like many of us, but he was working hard to build a better life,” said his cousin, Alicia Martin. “He didn’t deserve to die like that—not over something so senseless. He was a father. He was a son. He mattered.”
Local community activists and clergy have expressed outrage over the incident, calling for greater accountability and an examination of the use of force by civilians, especially in public commercial settings.
“Too many Black men are dying on our streets—at the hands of police, at the hands of each other, and now at the hands of people who are supposed to be serving the community behind a counter,” said Rev. Darnell Harris of the Pittsburgh Urban Ministry Alliance. “We demand justice for Devon Smith and an honest conversation about conflict resolution and de-escalation training for frontline workers.”
Sunoco corporate representatives have acknowledged the incident and released a brief statement expressing condolences to the victim’s family and pledging cooperation with the ongoing investigation. The store where the shooting took place has since been temporarily closed, with crime scene tape still surrounding the perimeter as investigators gather evidence.
Hayes is currently being held at the Allegheny County Jail without bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for later this week. Legal representation for Hayes has not yet released a public statement.
As the investigation continues, Devon Smith’s loved ones are left planning a funeral and grappling with a painful, unexpected loss. A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Wednesday evening at East Hills Park to honor his memory and call for peace and justice.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is urged to contact the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police’s Major Crimes Unit at (412) 323-7161. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers.
Devon Smith’s death marks yet another chapter in a growing pattern of violent encounters in places that should be safe. His family now joins the countless others who have lost loved ones to sudden, senseless acts of gun violence—searching for answers, justice, and healing in the aftermath.
