2000 Wilkinsburg shooting

Mass shooting in Pennsylvania, U.S. the 2000 racially motivated shooting spree the 2016 mass shooting 2016 Wilkinsburg shooting December 2025 January 2026 2000 Wilkinsburg shooting File:Allegheny County Pennsylvania incorporated and unincorporated areas Wilkinsburg highlighted.svg Wilkinsburg highlighted in a map of Allegheny County Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, U.S. White peopleMan gets death sentence for restaurant slayings https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111047874/man-gets-death-sentence-for-restaurant/ Associated Press January 12, 2002 October 10, 2022 March 1, 2000 40.4456 N 79.8833 W 11:15 a.m. 2:15 p.m. ET Spree shooting, hate crime, mass shooting 3 2 Ronald Taylor .22 caliber revolverhttps://www.wpxi.com/archive/this-day-march-1-2000-racially-motivated-shooting-spree-leaves-3-dead-wilkinsburg/AC2KVVXIAFC5RMCEXJDLDUT6NA/?outputType=amp ON THIS DAY: March 1, 2000, Racially-motivated shooting spree leaves 3 dead in Wilkinsburg Simmons Matt wpxi.com March 1, 2021 * Anti-White racism Perceived medical mistreatment Mental illness On March 1, 2000, an anti-white shooting spree hate crimeMurphy Kim 2000-03-03 Hate Crime Charge Weighed in Pa. Shooting Rampage https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-mar-03-mn-5030-story.html 2026-05-22 Los Angeles Times en-US2000-03-01 Hate Crime Charges In Pa. Shooting - CBS News https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hate-crime-charges-in-pa-shooting/ 2026-05-22 www.cbsnews.com en-US occurred in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, when 39-year-old Ronald Taylor, a black man, shot and killed three white men and wounded two others within an eight block radius, primarily at local Burger King and McDonald's restaurants.5 people critical in Pittsburgh mass shooting https://www.cnn.com/2000/US/03/01/wilkinsburg.shooting.02/index.html CNN March 1, 2000 October 10, 2022 Hours later, Taylor surrendered to police and was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death the following year.Police, witnesses say shooting spree suspect's anger had been simmering https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111046420/police-witnesses-say-shooting-spree/ Associated Press March 5, 2000 October 10, 2022 He was incarcerated at SCI Phoenix in eastern Pennsylvania until his death in 2024.Paula Reed Ward April 4, 2024 Wilkinsburg killer Ronald Taylor, who targeted white people, dies in prison. A victim's wife reacts Pittsburgh Tribune-Review https://triblive.com/local/wilkinsburg-killer-ronald-taylor-who-targeted-white-people-dies-in-prison/ April 5, 2024 https://archive.today/20240405104358/https://triblive.com/local/wilkinsburg-killer-ronald-taylor-who-targeted-white-people-dies-in-prison/ April 5, 2024 live Details Shooting begins At about 9 a.m. on March 1, 2000, two maintenance workers, John Dewitt and 55-year-old John Kroll, arrived at the apartment of 39-year-old Ronald Taylor to replace Taylor's door.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111046856/2-dead-3-wounded-in-bloody-rampage/ 2 DEAD, 3 WOUNDED IN BLOODY RAMPAGE Milan Simonich Pittsburgh Post-Gazette March 2, 2000 October 10, 2022 1 When Taylor answered the door, he began taunting both with insults about them being white, according to Dewitt, who claimed Taylor said "You white, racist, pig".https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111047217/2-dead-3-wounded-in-bloody-rampage-p2/ 2 DEAD, 3 WOUNDED IN BLOODY RAMPAGE Milan Simonich Pittsburgh Post-Gazette March 2, 2000 October 10, 2022 8 Nevertheless, the two began work. At around 10:30 a.m., after removing the old door, Dewitt and Kroll started installing the new door, while Taylor continued harassing them. Eventually, Dewitt told Taylor, "Why don't you just shut up." Taylor responded to Dewitt, "You're dead." As the job was almost done, a woman downstairs from Taylor called upstairs and asked if one of the maintenance workers could come and help her with a locked bedroom door. Dewitt said he could and walked downstairs, while Kroll finished the job. Kroll then went downstairs to meet a coworker named Andrew Williams. At just about 11:15 a.m, Taylor grabbed his .22 caliber revolver and set his apartment couch on fire. Armed with the gun, he confronted Kroll and Williams downstairs and reportedly told them "I don't like white people", then proceeded to shoot Kroll in the neck. Williams rushed to Kroll's side while Taylor decided not to shoot Williams, likely because Williams was black, but instead demanded to know where Dewitt was. Dewitt, who was in the parking lot putting tools away, walked back into the building to get Kroll when he noticed Taylor with a gun, so he took cover. Minutes later, he saw Williams covered in blood walking with Kroll in his arms, and as Taylor was not in sight, he rushed over to Williams and asked what was going on. Williams told Dewitt that Taylor shot Kroll and was looking for him. The two then put Kroll in the back of the employee pickup truck and drove to the Western Pennsylvania Hospital. Police and firefighters were contacted and rushed to Taylor's apartment, but by that time, Taylor had fled. About five minutes later Taylor walked two blocks to Burger King at Penn and Pitt avenues, where he fatally shot 71-year-old Joseph Healy, a former PNC Bank employee and priest. Shortly afterwards, Taylor approached a McDonald's, and shot multiple times at the van belonging to 56-year-old Richard Clinger as he waited in the drive-through. Some shots hit Clinger, and his stepdaughter Cindy Zambo ran to a nearby Dunkin' Donuts where she alerted people there about her dad being shot. Meanwhile, Taylor entered the McDonald's and shot the manager, 25-year-old Steven Bostard. At one point during his rampage witnesses told police that Taylor told a black woman; “Not you sister.”CNN.com - US - NAACP leader: prosecute African-American suspect 'like any other hate crime' - March 11, 2000 https://www.cnn.com/2000/US/03/11/mfume.hate/index.html 2026-05-22 www.cnn.com Taylor then returned to the parking lot and shot 20-year-old Emil Sanielevici, who was waiting to pick up food. Sanielevici later died, while Clinger and Bostard survived after being treated at the UPMC.Victims of Wilkinsburg shootings remembered for lives they touched https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111053180/victims-of-wilkinsburg-shootings/ Associated Press March 7, 2000 October 10, 2022 At 11:51 a.m., Kroll, who was awaiting surgery, died from his bullet wound. Shooting ends At around 12:00 p.m., police cornered Taylor at a residential building, where Taylor took refuge in an empty room. Sgt. John Fisher began communicating with Taylor and begged him to surrender. Taylor told the officer that he was going to commit suicide because he did not want his mother to see him in jail.https://old.post-gazette.com/regionstate/20000307taylor1.asp https://web.archive.org/web/20181115000941/http://old.post-gazette.com/regionstate/20000307taylor1.asp dead November 15, 2018 Wilkinsburg shooting suspect left suicide note, profanity-laced screed Michael A. Fuoco Pittsburgh Post-Gazette March 7, 2000 October 10, 2022 8 After two hours, Fisher was able to convince Taylor to surrender, and at around 2:15 p.m., Taylor handed over his gun and was arrested. Victims Killed Emil Sanielevici, 20. John Raymond Kroll, 55. Joseph Aloysius Healy, 71. Injured Steven Bostard, 25. Richard Clinger, 56. Richard Clinger would suffer permanent brain damage and was paralyzed on his right side as a result of his wounding.March 1, 2021 ON THIS DAY: March 1, 2000, Racially-motivated shooting spree leaves 3 dead in Wilkinsburg https://www.wpxi.com/archive/this-day-march-1-2000-racially-motivated-shooting-spree-leaves-3-dead-wilkinsburg/AC2KVVXIAFC5RMCEXJDLDUT6NA/ September 8, 2024 WPXI en Perpetrator Ronald Taylor (September 30, 1960 – April 2, 2024),Pennsylvania Department of Corrections the shooter, had no prior criminal record.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111061297/gunman-arrested-after-standoff/ Gunman arrested after standoff Todd Spangler Fort Worth Star-Telegram Associated Press March 2, 2000 October 10, 2022 5 Taylor grew up in the predominantly African-American Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111057063/putting-the-pieces-together/ Putting the pieces together Mike Rosenwald & Michael A. Fuoco Pittsburgh Post-Gazette March 4, 2000 October 10, 2022 1 When he was young, he was diagnosed with asthma. He attended Fifth Avenue High School until it closed in 1976; afterwards he attended Letsche Education Center until dropping out.Plunkett, Cluck Jr. (June 10, 2001). A killer's logic: Taylor 'led a tormented life'. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111058691/putting-the-pieces-together-p2/ Putting the pieces together Mike Rosenwald & Michael A. Fuoco Pittsburgh Post-Gazette March 4, 2000 October 10, 2022 3 At the time of the shooting spree, Taylor lived in the Woodside Garden Apartments and was unemployed,https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112343476/triple-killer-gets-death-sentence/ Triple killer gets death sentence Dan Nephin Indiana Gazette Associated Press November 12, 2001 October 31, 2022 3 living on Supplemental Security Income and food stamp benefits which totaled between $600 and $700 a month. Authorities said a search of Taylor's apartment revealed "anti-white" writings.Hate Crime Charges In Pa. Shooting https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hate-crime-charges-in-pa-shooting/ CBS March 1, 2000 October 10, 2022 There were other statements including "big thumbs up to Hitler".https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112191872/taylor-held-for-trial/ Taylor held for trial Mike Rosenwald Pittsburgh Post-Gazette August 23, 2000 October 29, 2022 12 Taylor had written a suicide note which investigators found after the shooting. The note read as follows; "I'm sorry, mother, for taking my own life with your gun that I sneaked for the second time in two years. Try to understand when a person is physically suffering for a long time and I'm treated by racist, biased doctors and nurses who so often give me generic, cheap medication that is ineffective [and] causes return visits to emergency rooms [that] frustration so often sets in.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112191359/man-facing-trial-in-shooting-spree/ Man facing trial in shooting spree Tim Molley Indiana Gazette Associated Press August 23, 2000 October 29, 2022 11 I get fed up with doctors treating black patients differently from whites in terms of unfairness, unequally and like dirt. Jesus Christ made a very costly mistake putting white people on the face of the earth. I'll see all of my enemies in hell. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha." Friends of Taylor reported that they were stunned to hear that Taylor had committed the shootings. David Ellis, an acquaintance of Taylor, said that Taylor "never caused any trouble I knew of". They also reported to be shocked about the accusations of Taylor being racist. Neighbors of Taylor described him as "quiet" and someone who "didn't start any trouble".https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112389560/neighbors-say-suspect-a-brooding-loner/ Neighbors say suspect a brooding loner Jan Ackerman, Johnna A. Pro, Lawrence Walsh Pittsburgh Post-Gazette March 2, 2000 November 1, 2022 9 Taylor rarely met with his family members and spent a large amount of time in isolation.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112581374/insolation-makes-mental-illness-hard-to/ Isolation makes mental illness hard to control Barbara White Stack Pittsburgh Post-Gazette May 7, 2000 November 5, 2022 18 Taylor did have a history of mental illness and one professional, Dr. Horacio Fabrega, who would testify for Taylor's defense, described Taylor as "delusional".https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111948141/doctor-man-charged-in-hate-killings/ Doctor: Man charged in hate killings delusional Dan Nephin The Morning Call November 7, 2001 October 24, 2022 2 Fabrega also said that Taylor had once burned an image of Jesus Christ under the belief that God "turned bad".https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112265112/man-convicted-in-shootings/ Man convicted in shootings Dan Nephin York Daily Record November 9, 2001 October 30, 2022 2 Taylor had stolen the revolver he used in the shootings from his mother, who had purchased it in 1982.https://www.wpxi.com/archive/this-day-march-1-2000-racially-motivated-shooting-spree-leaves-3-dead-wilkinsburg/AC2KVVXIAFC5RMCEXJDLDUT6NA/ ON THIS DAY: March 1, 2000, Racially-motivated shooting spree leaves 3 dead in Wilkinsburg Matt Simmons WPXI March 1, 2021 October 10, 2022 Reactions In the wake of the shooting, President Bill Clinton responded by expressing sorrow for the victims' families, stating, "We owe the families of the victims, the communities, our prayers and the best wishes".Clinton renews call for gun laws https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112270841/clinton-renews-call-for-gun-laws/ Centre Daily Times March 2, 2000 October 30, 2022 President Clinton also used the case as an example as to why stricter gun laws should be implemented; "We don't know all the facts yet, but it was a bad situation.... These incidents, particularly the one yesterday in Michigan, call on us to recognize the fact that we simply haven't done everything we can do to keep guns away from criminals and children".Wilkinsburg Shooting Reactions https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112273399/wilkinsburg-shooting-reactions/ Associated Press March 2, 2000 October 30, 2022 Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge said he "expressed sorrow at the horror in Wilkinsburg. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the entire Wilkinsburg community". Wilkinsburg mayor Wilbert Young held multiple vigils the night after the shooting to honor the victims.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112274106/gunman-had-history-of-racism-mental/ Gunman had history of racism, mental problems Rich Henson The Philadelphia Inquirer March 3, 2000 October 10, 2022 4 Legal proceedings In April 2000, Allegheny County Judge Jeffrey A. Manning ruled Taylor incompetent to stand trial, despite a psychiatrist's ruling that he was.From crime to conviction https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111130797/from-crime-to-conviction/ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette November 9, 2001 October 11, 2022 The prosecuting attorneys argued for another psychiatric examination after one hired by Taylor's defense in June claimed he suffered from schizophrenia. Following another evaluation by Dr. Michael Welner, Taylor was ruled competent, and in September prosecutors announced that they were seeking the death penalty. In April 2001, Taylor was transferred to the Allegheny County Jail in downtown Pittsburgh to await trial, which began on November 1. Taylor pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, citing years of mental illness.9 Taylor jurors chosen https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112919604/9-taylor-jurors-chosen/ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette October 26, 2001 November 11, 2022 Prosecutors argued that Taylor was not as mentally unwell as he let on and was diverting blame away from himself. Dr. Horacio Fabrega argued that on the day of the shooting Taylor had been under large amount of stress, including worries that the lease at his apartment would not be renewed. Fabrega also testified that Taylor believed there was a conspiracy against blacks and other minorities. Combined, Fabrega said this created a "psychotic storm". Fabrega, however, did acknowledge that Taylor was aware of the severity of his actions, but claimed that Taylor believed they were the right things to do under his imagined circumstances. On November 8, Taylor was convicted on 46 criminal charges; three counts of first-degree murder, nine counts of aggravated assault, four counts of terroristic threats, two counts of unlawful restraint, four counts of simple assault, 16 counts of reckless endangerment, one count of arson, one count of catastrophe, one count of risking a catastrophe, one count of carrying a gun without a license, and for perpetrating a hate crime. Jurors were then left to decide whether Taylor should be sentenced to death or to life in prison. In an attempt to sway the jury away from imposing the death penalty, the defense brought in Taylor's family to testify on his behalf. Taylor's brother Charles testified under oath that their father abused and threatened young Ronald.Jurors hear from Ronald Taylor's family in penalty phase https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112267891/jurors-hear-from-ronald-taylors-family/ Associated Press November 10, 2001 October 30, 2022 Charles stated the emotional trauma stayed with Ronald growing up. Their mother Shirly testified that "Ron is not a racist. I did not raise my children to hate white people". Instead she stated her son suffered in social situations, rather spending his time confined and that the "noise got to him". Two jurors were reportedly overheard crying during the testimony. Taylor's defense argued multiple factors that weighed against the death penalty, including his lack of a criminal record and previous mental health issues.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112604068/taylor-jurors-weigh-life-or-death/ Taylor jurors weigh life or death Jim McKinnon Pittsburgh Post-Gazette November 10, 2001 November 4, 2022 1 After two days of deliberating, the jury unanimously came to the decision to sentence Taylor to death. He showed no emotion as the verdict was read.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112269424/ronald-taylor-sentenced-to-die/ Ronald Taylor sentenced to die Dan Nephin York Daily Record November 12, 2001 October 30, 2022 2 Taylor was formally sentenced to death on January 11, 2002. Judge Lawrence O'Toole rejected requests from Taylor's attorneys that he overturn the jury's verdict due to speculation Taylor was mentally ill. Aftermath A month after Taylor's killing spree, a white man named Richard Baumhammers shot to death five minorities in a racially motivated shooting spree in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Due to the close proximity, timing, and overall similarities media outlets compared Taylor and Baumhammers during multiple news reports.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111062370/mentally-ill-no-more-likely-to-be/ Mentally ill no more likely to be violent than anyone else Anita Srikameswaren Pittsburgh Post-Gazette May 7, 2000 October 10, 2022 18 Related to the Baumhammers case, Baumhammers' father, who opposed the death penalty, attended Taylor's trial.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112634299/baumhammers-father-protests-death/ Baumhammers father protests death penalty Jim McKinnon Pittsburgh Post-Gazette November 10, 2001 November 6, 2022 3 In 2005, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld Taylor's death sentence and rejected a new trial.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112293017/pa-high-court-upholds-taylor-death/ Pa. high court upholds Taylor death sentence Torsten Ove Pittsburgh Post-Gazette June 23, 2005 October 30, 2022 4 In January 2006, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed a death warrant ordering Taylor to be executed on February 28 of that year via lethal injection.Death warrant signed https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112293903/death-warrant-signed/ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette January 7, 2006 October 31, 2022 For unknown reasons, the execution was halted. Taylor was incarcerated at State Correctional Institution – Phoenix. On April 2, 2024, he died of natural causes at age 63.Ronald Taylor, convicted in racially motivated Wilkinsburg killing spree in 2000, dies in prison https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2024/04/04/ronald-taylor-wilkinsburg-shootings-died-prison/stories/202404040060 April 4, 2024 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette April 4, 2024 https://archive.today/20240405104843/https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2024/04/04/ronald-taylor-wilkinsburg-shootings-died-prison/stories/202404040060 April 5, 2024 Kroll's widow was ecstatic and relieved upon hearing the news but added that Taylor's death ultimately did not change anything. See also Richard Baumhammers 2009 Collier Township shooting 1969 Pennsylvania Turnpike shootings References Category:Mass shootings involving revolvers External links Article at the Southern Poverty Law Center Category:2000s crimes in Pennsylvania Category:2000 mass shootings in the United States Category:2000 murders in the United States Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2000 Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in Pennsylvania Category:Deaths by firearm in Pennsylvania Category:March 2000 crimes in the United States Category:Mass shootings in Pennsylvania Category:Racially motivated violence in Pennsylvania Category:Racially motivated violence against white Americans Category:Racially motivated violence against white Americans in Pennsylvania Category:Spree shootings in the United States Category:2000 mass murders Category:Mass murders in Pennsylvania Category:2000s mass murders in the United States