Latest News
June 24, 2019

Trial starts for man accused of killing McKeesport woman

By Mon Valley Independent

By Megan Guza

A bench trial began Monday for a man accused in a double shooting that left one woman dead and another man injured on the steps of a McKeesport bar in 2017.

Daniel Bizzelle, 27, is charged with homicide in the July 16, 2017, death of 23-year-old Samantha Klavora. He is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment for allegedly shooting and wounding another man in the shooting.

The surviving victim told police that he and Klavora were walking up a set of city steps on Fifth Avenue when they heard someone approach from behind, according to the criminal complaint against Bizzelle. He said he recognized the man as an acquaintance he knew only as “Boog Bray,” later identified as Bizelle.

The victim told police Bizzelle seemed to think he was responsible for the murder a month prior of 24-year-old Diaz Petty, also in McKeesport, according to the complaint. Bizzelle began shooting, and the victim tried to run. Klavora tried to step in, at which point Bizzelle allegedly turned the gun on her.

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Tuesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
Latest News, Main
April 21, 2026
Theo Lodge, center, holds a sign Monday while surrounded by fellow participants during PennWest California’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. Students and campus organizations joined the annual awarene...
Consolidation addressed at BVA town hall
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
April 21, 2026
The session with school district leaders attracted roughly 50 people in person and another 114 online. Around 50 residents and parents in the Belle Vernon Area School District attended a town hall Mon...
Death of Haitian immigrant still an unsettling mystery 7 weeks later
Latest News, Main
April 21, 2026
Pittsburgh’s Public Source is an independent nonprofit newsroom serving the Pittsburgh region. Sign up for our free newsletters at https://www.publicsource. org/ newsletter-signup/ By Sophia Lucente P...
White Oak, South Versailles combine for joint venture
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
April 21, 2026
The boroughs will work together in developing projects for the future. White Oak announced a joint project with South Versailles during Monday’s council meeting. The project, which has been in the wor...
MMVTA to offer expanded NFL Draft service
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
April 21, 2026
Trips to the draft site in Pittsburgh are scheduled for Thursday and Friday with a $4 one-way fee. By the MVI The Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority will operate expanded service Thursday and Friday dur...
EF and Rotary Club of Elizabeth host 8th annual third-grade spelling bee
Latest News, Main
April 21, 2026
The Elizabeth Forward School District and the Rotary Club of Elizabeth hosted the eighth annual third-grade spelling bee last week at Elizabeth Forward Middle School. Shown, from left, are Rotary Co-P...