Police: Wilkinsburg man charged in 2013 shooting death of 1-year-old Marcus White Jr.

A Wilkinsburg man has been charged in connection to a 2013 triple shooting at a picnic that killed 15-month-old Marcus White, Jr. in Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighborhood.

Gregory Parker, 22, is charged with criminal homicide, criminal conspiracy, four counts of aggravated assault and gun charges, Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesman Chris Togneri said.

Parker was arrested Friday and is inAllegheny County Jail.

The May 21, 2013 shooting happened at a picnic in the 2300 block of East Hills Drive.

At the time, police said at least three gunmen got out of a vehicle and started shooting into a crowd gathered in a common area. Marcus was shot, as were his aunts, Shedayah and Kadejiah Tyler.

Shedayah Tyler, who was 20 at the time, picked Marcus up and tried to use her body to shield him from the gunfire. Investigators believe a bullet struck her in the back and traveled through her before fatally striking the baby in the chest. Shedayah was taken to UPMC Presbyterian in critical condition with a chest wound, and Kadejiah Tyler was struck in the thigh. Both aunts survived.

No arrests were made that day and the investigation has gone on for eight years. Police received few tips. Members of the baby’s family and community supporters held rallies and begged for information that could lead to an arrest.

“Investigating detectives know that this arrest will not erase the pain of Baby Marcus’s family,” Togneri said in a statement. “But members of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police hope that Parker’s arrest will at least bring a level of closure to family and community members.”

Police are seeking more information about the case and asking anyone with information to call detectives at 412-323-7161.