Vigil held to remember victim of fatal New Kensington shooting; pleas made for witnesses to ID killer

A small group gathered Wednesday near the scene of last week’s fatal shooting in New Kensington to remember the victim and call on the person who killed him to surrender to authorities.

James Michael Hayes, 31, was found shot to death Friday in the parking lot behind Kensington Arms Apartments in the 400 block of 11th Street.

Hayes lived in a third-floor apartment there, an acquaintance said.

“I want to bring awareness to the community that if we stand together we can start making a difference,” said the Rev. David Trent, who organized the vigil that drew about 15 people, including members of Hayes’ family. “We need to get the message out that we are not going to put up with this kind of thing. We believe that someone out there saw what happened.”

The shooting is being investigated by New Kensington police and Westmoreland County detectives. No arrests have been made.

“It’s very, very important that they come forward and get in touch with police,” said Trent, of Chosen Generations Ministries. “This family is devastated and are looking for answers.”

Anyone with information is asked to call New Kensington police at 724-339-7533.

Hayes’ aunts, Carmen Johnson and Angela Norris, traveled from the Washington, D.C., area to attend the vigil.

Johnson was visibly overcome as she spoke about Hayes.

“He was a soft-spoken child who loved his kids and enjoyed life, as I’m sure all of you know,” she said. “He will be missed dearly. We are remembering him by speaking out and by being the light that he was for us. Please remember to say his name.”

Johnson also made an impassioned plea for witnesses or the killer to come forward.

“Somebody saw something; somebody knows something,” she said. “Please come forward and talk to the police.”

Hayes’ former girlfriend, Macie Shock of O’Hara, attended the vigil with two of the children they had together, Kaiyah, 7, and Maelie, 8.

Maelie was so upset that she remained in the car during the vigil, Shock said. Hayes’ third daughter, Sophia, 3, did not attend.

Shock, who dated Hayes for four years, said earlier she is shaken by his death.

“I’ve had to process this and figure out how to tell my babies the worst news I’ve ever had in my life,” she said.

Hayes was from Reading, Berks County, and graduated from Wilson High School.

Shock said the last job she was aware Hayes held was as an industrial painter at Avalotis Painting Co. in Verona.

“He loved Bob Marley and was very down to earth and was always laughing and being silly,” Shock said.

Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson said official determinations of the cause and manner of Hayes’ death are pending.