PITTSBURGH — Nearly five years after Ahmir Tuli, 18, was shot and killed outside a Strip District bar, a jury reached a verdict for the man prosecutors say was responsible.
On Monday, jurors found Howard Hawkins guilty of first-degree murder.
“You took my baby. I’ll never forgive you for that,” Ahmir’s mother, Preeti Tuli, told Channel 11 after the verdict was read.
Prosecutors said Hawkins shot and killed Ahmir because he was kicked out of Preeti’s Pit Restaurant and Bar, which is owned by Preeti Tuli.
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In surveillance video that was just made available to Channel 11 for the first time -- you can see Hawkins shoot Ahmir in the head, then walk away.
Ahmir was on break from his job at the restaurant when he was killed. He had just graduated with honors from North Hills High School.
“He didn’t deserve what happened to him. He was an innocent baby,” Preeti said.
Detectives say after the shooting, Hawkins left town for California. He was taken into custody months later by the U.S. Marshal’s Service.
The jury deliberated about the verdict for just two and a half hours.
“When a case of this significance and there’s a short turnaround for a jury, I was not happy to hear that... that started my disappointment,” Hawkins’ defense attorney, Casey White, said.
This was the second time Hawkins stood trial for Ahmir’s murder. His first trial ended in a mistrial after officers brought up his prior criminal record, which wasn’t allowed.
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Ahmir’s mother had to hear all of the testimony a second time, plus once again, watch the video of her son being murdered.
“I wanted to be there for my son and support him and stand up for him because he deserves justice,” Preeti said.
Hawkins will be sentenced in the next 90 days.
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