Six years after gunfire outside a Braddock after-hours club left 39-year-old Jason Lewis dead, his family is still waiting for the knock on the door that says someone is finally talking. The case remains unsolved, even as relatives and neighbors mark each passing February with vigils and a roadside billboard that refuses to let the community forget.
Detectives have identified between 12 and 20 people who were there that night, but none has publicly named the shooter, according to CBS Pittsburgh. Investigators told the outlet they believe the gunman knew Lewis, was inside the Sahara Temple after-hours club on the night of the Feb. 16, 2020 shooting, and that the case is still considered an active investigation.
Family Keeps the Pressure On
Jason’s father, Rick Lewis, has made it his mission to keep his son’s name out in public view. The billboard, the yearly vigils, and his work with a local support group for families of homicide victims are all part of a strategy to keep attention on a case that could easily fade into the background.
"One day you’re going to get that knock at the door," Rick said, as per WPXI, describing the slow-burn agony of waiting for someone to finally step forward with the truth.
What Investigators Say They Have
Allegheny County detectives say they have poured over surveillance video from both the Sahara Temple and the surrounding block, looking for anything that could help them build a case. So far, it has not been enough. Relatives and neighbors told WTAE that despite that footage and multiple eyewitness accounts, there has still been no arrest.
Silence Complicates Cold-Case Work
A wider look at the region’s homicide numbers helps explain why that silence worries investigators. A WPXI investigation found that clearance rates vary from agency to agency and that factors like staffing levels and community trust can determine whether a case sees an arrest or drifts onto a shelf. In that context, the Lewis investigation is held up as part of a broader pattern where witness cooperation often makes the difference between justice served and a file that lingers.
Anyone with information on Jason Lewis’s killing is urged to call the Allegheny County Police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477) or submit an anonymous tip. Local reporting notes that this hotline is the primary channel for new leads. For additional details on the case and how to contact investigators, see reporting by KDKA/Audacy.
