Jeannette shooting victim’s mother calls for DA to reopen case

Patrick Varine
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 6:42 p.m. | Wednesday, July 21, 2021 6:42 p.m.

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Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review

Mariell McGowan played for the Jayhawks on the high school football team, seen in a senior portrait at the home of his mother, Tounja Williamson, on Friday, May 14, 2021 at her home in Jeannette.

Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review

A sign near Taunja Williamson’s home honoring her son, Mariell McGowan, seen Friday, May 14, 2021 in Jeannette.

Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review

Taunja Williamson displays a framed portrait of her son from his senior year in high school at her Jeannette home in May.

Patrick Varine | Tribune-Review

Taunja Williamson of Jeannette, mother of shooting victim Mariell McGowan, is joined by family and friends at Mosaic Church on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.

Patrick Varine | Tribune-Review

Taunja Williamson of Jeannette, mother of shooting victim Mariell McGowan, is joined Wednesday by family and friends at Mosaic Church.

Taunja Williamson doesn’t understand why the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office does not bring charges in the 2019 shooting death of her son, Mariell McGowan.

McGowan, 29, of Jeannette was fatally shot Oct. 28, 2019, on Cuyler Avenue, just a few doors down from his mother’s home and a block from the city police station.

On Wednesday evening, Williamson was joined by friends and family members at Mosaic Church in Jeannette to call on District Attorney John Peck to reopen her son’s case.

“They have the forensics, the guns, the fingerprints and the bullets from both the gun and my son,” Williamson said. “How about they just make an arrest?”

Witnesses reported about a dozen gunshots on Cuyler Avenue, and Mayor Curtis Antoniak said at the time the situation was the result of an argument that escalated and not a random shooting.

“In terms of determining exactly what occurred, some witnesses to the event and to the killing of Mr. McGowan have been uncooperative. They’ve refused to speak with detectives,” Peck said Wednesday afternoon. “Other witnesses have given conflicting accounts of what occurred.”

Peck said, based on the existing evidence, “there’s insufficient evidence to prove things beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Williamson said more investigation needs to take place.

“My son’s life mattered. Justice needs to be served,” Williamson said.

Peck said his office is not ignoring or downplaying McGowan’s case.

“We’re not at all unsympathetic to Mrs. Williamson,” Peck said. “But on the other hand, we have an obligation not to charge people whose crimes can’t be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Williamson said she wants an answer from Peck about reopening the case by Friday and plans to hold a peaceful protest at 10 a.m. July 28 in front of the Westmoreland County Courthouse.

“I just don’t understand why they can’t make an arrest and put this in front of a jury,” she said.

The family has offered a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in McGowan’s shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact Jeannette police at 724-527-4013.