Retrial begins in fatal shooting of honors student outside Pittsburgh eatery

Trial began Monday for a man accused of the 2021 shooting death of a North Hills honors student outside his family’s restaurant in the Strip District.

Howard Hawkins’ first trial ended abruptly last year when a witness inappropriately referenced the defendant’s criminal record during testimony.

Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Beth A. Lazzara granted a mistrial in the case, which restarted on Monday in front of a new jury.

Hawkins, 50, of Pittsburgh is accused of killing Ahmir Tuli, 18, on Feb. 21, 2021, outside of Preeti’s Pitt in the 2700 block of Penn Avenue.

Tuli, who worked as a line cook, was outside the restaurant that night on his break when, police said, Hawkins approached him and shot him once in the head.

Hawkins was later arrested in July 2021 in North Hollywood, Calif.

During opening statements on Monday, Allegheny County Deputy District Attorney Sarah Weikart told the jury that Hawkins had been inside the bar and restaurant that evening when he had a dispute with another customer.

Hawkins was escorted out of the bar at 8:56 p.m., according to security camera footage from Preeti’s, Weikart said.

Hawkins, the prosecutor continued, walked to the car he’d arrived in, opened the passenger door, grabbed an object and put it in his pocket.

“A minute later, instead of getting in that car and leaving, you see him pacing on the sidewalk,” Weikart said.

Tuli exited the restaurant at 9:09 and went to his own car, sitting with the door open, she continued.

Video from city cameras, Weikart said, then showed Hawkins approach the teen. The two argued, and Hawkins shot Tuli in the head, she said.

The prosecution expects to call a witness working security at the restaurant that night who saw what happened. She told police the shooter was the man they had kicked out. She described him as wearing black pants, black shoes, a black jean jacket and a blue bandana on his face.

But defense attorney Casey White said in his opening that the prosecution is trying an innocent man.

The video from the city’s cameras, White said, is grainy and recorded from a block and a half away.

“What you will not see is any DNA, any fingerprints. You will not hear a motive for why Ahmir Tuli was killed.”

The prosecution will resume its case on Tuesday morning.