As Vigil Nears, Erie Murder Victim's Case Remains Unsolved - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

As Vigil Nears, Erie Murder Victim's Case Remains Unsolved

Thursday night, family and friends will remember the woman gunned down on the east side, last month.

During a vigil that at 5:15, family, friends, and area nuns will gather to remember a young woman's life, and pray for peace.

Back on September 8th, 22 year old Sammica Roberts was sitting in a van, outside of an east side bar, when gunfire erupted.
A bullet struck her in the head, she was rushed to the hospital, where she was declared brain dead, and eventually died.

21 year old Clifton Barney was also shot in the chest in that shootout.
But, he's not cooperating with police in the investigation.

So as of now, Roberts' homicide case remains open, and Erie's Police Chief Steve Franklin says detectives are still working diligently to bring her killer to justice.
To family and friends, the chief says don't give up hope.

"Obviously this is a tragedy. A young lady's life is lost but don't give up hope. As long as we have leads to pursue it's going to be an open investigation. We're going to do everything we can to find who's responsible and of course bring them to justice."

Not only is the other victim in the case not cooperating, but apparently neither are many witnesses. Chief Franklin says while detectives have been busy going over evidence and interviews, they're having a tough time, "They have interviewed a number of people who they believe were present. Not too many people came forward, as well as people that may have some information, they're also not coming forward and saying 'yes we saw this, we heard that.'" Franklin added.

There are 6 other open homicide cases in the city, including 3 this year.
The chief says detectives are doing what they can in all those cases, to bring them to a close.