Family of man killed by Pa. state parole agent still searching for answers

Erie, Pa (WJET/WFXP)– The investigation into the death of Marchello Woodard, who was fatally shot by a Pennsylvania state parole agent, continues as his family demands transparency and accountability from officials.

Eight days after the incident, the Woodard family called for the suspension and termination of the parole agents involved, as well as murder charges. They claim to have video evidence and witness statements that contradict the official accounts provided by the agents to the Pennsylvania State Police.

Erie Mayor Joe Schember has asked residents to be patient during the investigation, expressing condolences to the Woodard family. “I’m very, very sorry about your loss,” he said. “There’s nothing more difficult than losing a loved one.”

Governor Josh Shapiro acknowledged the community’s concerns but refrained from commenting directly on the investigation. “The community in Erie is reeling from this and I want them to know that I hear them, I see them, my heart is with them,” he stated.

The Woodard family has emphasized the racial context of the incident, noting that Marchello Woodard was a Black man who was unarmed at the time of the shooting. Their statement reads, “Ignoring race in this case would be ignoring context.”

The family is seeking long-term, effective change and full transparency from all levels of government, including cooperation from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. They have called out the governor’s committee intended to combat bias-based policing.

Funeral services for Marchello Woodard have been announced for this Saturday at Second Baptist Church.

As the investigation unfolds, the Woodard family continues to push for justice and accountability, highlighting the need for transparency in addressing racial bias in policing.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published.

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