Community mourns teen fatally shot

Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independent Monessen junior Amari Altomore (53) is shown during the Greyhounds’ game in Mapletown Oct. 21.

By KRISTIE LINDEN
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A Monessen High School junior died Wednesday after he was shot in the city Tuesday night, according to police.
Though Monessen police Chief Dave Yuhasz declined to name the victim, multiple social media posts from family and friends have identified the victim as Amari Altomore, a junior on the Monessen Greyhounds football team.
“With much sadness in my heart, I have to say my guy Amari didn’t make it through surgery and has passed on to a better place,” Greyhounds football coach Wade Brown wrote on Facebook. “I have so much to say but I can’t get it out right. Love you Amari and please watch over the city and your team as we try to deal with your tragic passing. P.S. Gun violence or whatever happened is not the answer to anyone’s problems. Fly high young man. Please keep keep his family in your prayers. We all need it!!!!”
Yuhasz said police and medics were called to a home near the intersection of South 14th Street and Reservoir Avenue just after 8 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a shooting victim.
Officers and medics attended to the victim, who was then transported by medical helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital, Yuhasz said.
The teen underwent operations to stabilize his condition, but early Wednesday afternoon he succumbed to his injuries, Yuhasz said.

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