Friends of a man stabbed to death Sunday in Tarentum have started a GoFundMe to help his family with burial expenses.
Thomas Baczynski, 26, died about 6:30 p.m. at a local hospital after a fight in the rear of Davidson Street along Companion Way.
“Thomas was a quiet young man unless you were close to him,” friend Jamie Gross wrote on the public fundraiser. “He was an amazing uncle to his infant nephew, Kingston, and was loved by his sisters (Leah and April).
“These two young women are now left devastated and trying to make arrangements for their brother while in shock.”
Allegheny County police are heading the investigation.
A suspect has been identified, according to a police-issued statement. There are social media posts naming a suspect and asking people to be on the lookout for him but, so far, police have not released that person’s identity.
Police said Baczynski suffered stab wounds to his upper body.
According to Gross’ post, Baczynski was killed after a friend got into a fight with another man.
“As they were walking away, the man lunged for his friend and instead stabbed Thomas,” Gross’ post said.
Gross couldn’t be reached by phone or at her home.
Police said the fight happened during a custody exchange. None of the men involved in the fight lived at the location where the incident happened.
Baczynski was taken by private vehicle to the hospital where he died.
About $1,665 of a $2,500 goal has been raised.
Mayor Bob Lang said his heart goes out to the victim’s family as well as the suspect’s.
“That person has a mom and a dad, too,” Lang said. “Two families got ruined there yesterday.”
Lang said the area where the crime happened is usually quiet.
“But nothing surprises me today,” he said. “It’s just sad.”
Kelly L. Corridoni Funeral Home in Avonmore will be handling Baczynski’s arrangements. The owner said she would not be meeting with the family until Tuesday.
The neighborhood off Davidson Street was peaceful Monday afternoon, with no signs that a fatal struggle had occurred the day before.
People walked their dogs along Bull Creek in the wooded neighborhood at the foot of West Tarentum.
One man said he was surprised to find the street so quiet, with no police vehicles or news trucks so soon after the crime.
Tarentum Councilwoman Carrie Fox grew up along the rural street and said Sunday’s incident is atypical.
“It’s very quiet here,” she said. “It’s a great place to live. I grew up here and built a home right across the street from my parents. This is very sad, just too close to home.”
Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (255-8477). Callers can remain anonymous.
