The 7th and 8th homicide deaths in Johnstown in 2022 were confirmed today as investigators revealed what they know about 2 people who, along with a dog, were found shot to death Saturday Afternoon.
Crispin Havener joins us live from the scene with what we now know about this latest case.
Investigators say the man and woman were found inside this home behind me dead of multiple gunshot wounds Saturday Afternoon
Johnstown Police say, on a welfare check, found the homeowner, 61-year-old Lionel Mickens, along with another Johnstown woman, 36-year-old Britney Rummell, and Mickens Pitbull, all dead of multiple gunshot wounds inside an upstairs bedroom Saturday afternoon at this duplex on Pine Street in the city’s Hornerstown section.
Cambria County Coroner Jeff Lees says they had been dead for days. District Attorney Greg Neugebauer said Mickens had been last seen alive late Wednesday Afternoon.
It’s not known how Mickens and Rummell knew each other…but there were no signs of forced entry and no belief it was drug related.
It continues a year of deadly violence in Johnstown. Now seven different homicide cases, resulting in eight deaths, with only one so far leading to an arrest, putting a strain on investigators trying to solve these cases.
Unlike in several other cases, investigators say they have been getting a lot of community tips in this case, but with a community wondering when the violence will stop, I asked District Attorney Greg Neugebauer about what he would say to those who are beginning to wonder if this is the new normal for Johnstown.
“This can’t be the new normal. At the end of the day we say this almost every homicide, we’re all doing everything we can so this doesn’t become the new normal, at the end of the day I believe the community is going do the right thing. I hope and pray they do the right thing. We’re talking 8 people murdered in the city in 4 months.”
Cambria County Crime Stoppers offers a $1,000 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Johnstown Police by calling 814-472-2100 or by texting the keyword JPD and your tip to 847411.
