Family honors Brendan Parsons after his death while fighting financial and emotional hardship.
A tragic shooting claimed the life of 23-year-old Brendan Michael Parsons during a Sunday evening picnic in Clairton, leaving the tight-knit Allegheny County community devastated by the loss of a beloved young man known for his athletic achievements and generous spirit.
Police responded to reports of gunshots in the 300 block of Division Street in Clairton at approximately 9:32 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, 2025.
Officers arriving at the scene discovered Parsons dead from a gunshot wound. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed his identity.
Authorities believe an argument preceded the fatal shooting at the community picnic, though officials have not released specific details about the nature of the dispute.
Police detained a man at the scene in connection with the incident, but investigators have not yet identified the suspect or announced formal charges.
Law enforcement officials assured the public that no ongoing threat exists.
Parsons earned recognition as a standout athlete at Clairton High School, where he served as quarterback for the school’s WPIAL Championship Team as a member of the Class of 2020.
The former football star had been working for Caruso Paving and lived in McKeesport at the time of his death.
Aaron Matesic, a friend and former teammate, expressed the shock felt throughout the community when he heard the emergency sirens that Sunday night. “I just cried. I lost it,” Matesic said.
“It’s crazy because I knew the dude, I went to school with him, I played basketball with him. He was 23 years old and lost his life. I lost a good friend.”
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The tragedy resonated deeply within Clairton’s close-knit community, where residents knew Parsons either personally or through his athletic accomplishments.
Friends and neighbors struggled to process the sudden loss of someone they described as having a bright future ahead of him.
The Death Of Brendan Parsons Unites A Community In Mourning And Generosity
Brendan Michael Parsons was born on December 21, 2001, in Pittsburgh to parents Chris Parsons of Clairton and Tracy Lynn (Martin) Lindsey of Clairton.
He leaves behind a loving family, including his siblings, Kelsea Parsons and Devin (Ana) Parsons, both of Clairton; his stepfather, Richard Lindsey; and his companion, Faith Moore, along with their two children, Halo and Harlem.
His grandmother, Debra McHugh of Clairton, and several nephews also survive him.
The family arranged funeral services at A.J. Bekavac Funeral Home in Clairton, with visitation scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 2 PM to 4 PM and 6 PM to 8 PM.
A funeral service will take place on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 10 AM, with Rev. Jude Urso officiating. The procession and burial will follow at Round Hill Cemetery in Elizabeth Township.
The unexpected nature of Parsons’ death created financial challenges for his family, as he had not secured life insurance.
His sister Kelsea Parsons took to social media to organize fundraising efforts, emphasizing her brother’s character and the family’s need for community support.
In her initial GoFundMe appeal, Kelsea wrote,
“Brendan wasn’t only an outstanding Clairton football player, he’s a great father, son and brother. Brendan would do anything he can to help anyone even if was spending his last penny.”
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She explained that the family discovered Parsons lacked life insurance, leaving them to cover all funeral expenses out of pocket.
Social media platforms became vehicles for both fundraising and emotional support as the community rallied around the grieving family.
Kelsea regularly updated supporters about donation progress and funeral arrangements, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming response from friends, neighbors, and even strangers who wanted to help.
The fundraising efforts faced an unfortunate complication when scammers created fake Venmo accounts using Kelsea’s name and profile picture to steal donations intended for the family.
She addressed this issue directly on social media, urging potential donors to contact her personally to verify legitimate donation channels. She posted,
“I am beyond livid that someone would take advantage at such a fragile times.”
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Family members and friends use social media to share memories and express their grief.
Kelsea posted heartfelt tributes to her “little brother,” while cousin Dominic Lopez wrote,
“They took my baby cousin from us. Love you forever Brendan Parsons,” accompanied by broken heart emojis.
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The community response extended beyond individual donations, with local organizations and businesses contributing food and monetary support to help the family during their time of grief.
Kelsea repeatedly acknowledged this generosity, stating,
“My brother loved this town and everyone in it. You all have shown how much you all loved Brendan and I am forever thankful.”
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In her final social media updates before the funeral services, Kelsea asked the community to honor her brother’s memory appropriately. She wrote,
“My family asks for everyone to please be respectful despite whatever emotions may arise. Brendan would want everyone to celebrate his life with laughs and smiles.”
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The investigation into Parsons’ death remains ongoing, with Allegheny County Police encouraging anyone with information about the shooting to contact their tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Brendan was attending Fairmont State University, majoring in Exercise Science.
- He was born on December 21, 2001
- The shooting occurred on May 26th, according to the family.
