Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania community still shaken after learning of killing, dismemberment of missing transgender 14-year-old
SHARON, Pa. (KDKA) — A community remains shaken after an unthinkable crime. A 14-year-old transgender girl was killed and dismembered.
The remains of Pauly Likens were found scattered around Shenango Lake. State police say their investigation into the suspect, DaShawn Watkins, is ongoing.
“It’s a total tragedy. The entire community, the entire county has come together to be there for the Likens family.”
Giant Eagle tells KDKA-TV that Watkins was an employee at the Giant Eagle location in Warren, Ohio, but no longer works there.
Watkins’ neighbors say they would never have suspected him of committing a crime so evil.
“I would call it evil because that is a child at the end of the day, regardless of what their preferences were,” said neighbor Terrance Tarver. “It was tough to hear somebody you see every day and have something like that so close to home.”
At Riverwalk Apartments in Sharon, Tarver is still stunned. He lived four doors down from the accused murderer.
“He was a quiet guy. We hold the door for each other, [and] pass each other in the hallway,” Tarver added.
Likens was reported missing on June 25. The same day, a person reported finding dismembered human remains in the area of Shenango Lake.
On the night of the alleged crime, Tarver didn’t hear or see anything unusual.
“I just don’t see how somebody could bring themselves to do that with all the amount of acceptance in the world today,” Tarver said.
State police in Mercer County arrested and charged Watkins, 29, for the crime.
State police say they used information from Likens’ cell phone provider, social media records, and surveillance video.
They say the victim met Watkins at the Budd Street Public Park and Canoe Launch in Sharon early Sunday morning on June 23.
Surveillance video captured Watkins’ vehicle leaving the canoe launch to his nearby apartment. A short time later, police say surveillance video showed Watkins easily carrying a duffle bag and is later seen struggling with the bag at the apartment.
They also found a receipt for a saw with exchangeable blades. One of those blades was missing. Investigators also saw Watkins had two cuts to his hand.
Sources tell KDKA-TV that at this point, police are working to learn more about the relationship between Watkins and Pauly, but Watkins told police he used the dating app Grindr.
Days later, many in the community are still hurting.
“Honestly, it’s a loss for words. The fact that everyone has gotten together, not just Sharon, but also Mercer County as a whole,” said Pauly’s neighbor Jenna Maurice. “They’ve helped with funeral costs, the showing that is happening, and the vigil on Saturday.”
“It’s still a tragedy at the end of the day. I don’t think anyone is ever going to be okay.”
“Horrifying. Horrifying. The fact that someone can do that to another human being, let alone a child, shows the kind of person they truly are.”
KDKA-TV was given part of Pauly’s obituary, highlighting the teen as a selfless and bright person.
Pauly lit up every room she entered, always making people smile and passing around her contagious laughter. Pauly was a selfless person, never missing a chance to help others and give what she could. Even as a young child, she donated her spare change to the veterans’ stand outside Walmart. Pauly loved all of her pets, all of her friends’ pets, and just about any animal she saw. A sassy kid, Pauly loved to give her family a hard time, cracking jokes and loving every moment with her family. Shopping with her Aunt Liz fueled her bougie lifestyle, never missing a chance to get some new fashion pieces or get her nails done. Pauly loved her games, playing Fortnite and Roblox with her friends. Pauly liked to keep up with the current music scene, listening to anything that caught her ear.
A vigil in Pauly’s honor is planned for Saturday night. It’s at the LGBTQ+ Alliance of Shenango Valley at 7 p.m.
Pennsylvania
Criminal charges for climate pollution? Some argue a Pa. law would apply
While Braman agrees it would be difficult to take on as a prosecutor, he said that could change as more young people move into positions of influence.
“As the catastrophes escalate and as young people who face their entire future in an environment dominated by increasing climate harms, [and] start to join the jury pool, start to become prosecutors, start to become judges and start to become shareholders, I think that the writing’s on the wall,” Braman said, “and I hope that everybody, including everyone inside fossil fuel companies, starts to pay attention to that.”
But Weber said prosecutors would still have to convince a judge or jury to convict beyond a reasonable doubt.
Fossil fuel companies have permits to conduct their business, essentially government permission to do what they are doing, another way for the company to defend itself in court.
If the companies are charged and convicted of risking or causing a catastrophe, the fines are in the range of $15,000 to $25,000 per count, Weber said.
“Is that going to deter a multimillion dollar company? Is that going to interfere with the operation of their business and the money that they’re making? I don’t think so,” Weber said. “I mean, did Energy Transfer go out of business by that criminal prosecution?”
“Maybe you put the CEO in jail,” Weber said. “And do you think that the other fossil fuel companies are going to say, ‘That guy went to jail, so we shouldn’t do what we’re doing anymore’? No, they’re going to do what drug dealers do. Drug dealers say, ‘Well, that guy got caught for drug dealing because he’s stupid. We’re not stupid.’”
‘Win by losing’
Environmental attorney Rich Raiders said there are a lot of questions with the strategy, but says the article does serve an important purpose.
“The idea behind these articles isn’t necessarily to come to an answer, but to get people to start thinking about how to address a question. And in that respect, it does that and it does it well,” Raiders said.
Raiders represented homeowners who sued Energy Transfer over the Mariner East pipeline construction. He said a case like this would be a battle of the experts, but there are fundamental questions the article does not address about whether the charges would stick.
“What do you have to show responsible for climate change to meet the definition of a catastrophe?” Raiders said. “What is that level of threshold that you have to show before you can write a complaint that actually can survive objections? And how do you prove that it was the fossil fuel emissions caused by the marketing aspects of these companies to get you far enough that you can meet this definition? We don’t know.”
Raiders said the goal of this type of prosecution could be to get a large settlement, similar to what happened with the tobacco companies settlement or a previously proposed Sackler family settlement over opioids.
In that case, it makes sense to bring a case where you “win by losing.”
“And maybe that’s what a case like this does. It’s not necessarily to win the case, but it’s to move the needle,” Raiders said.
For example, he said it could get the legislature to take action. But it also requires someone willing to lose.
“I think this is an interesting discussion in the long term for how to get people to think about the problem,” Raiders said. “And as a thought piece it does have some merit. But will you see something like that filed in the next 12 months? No, not anytime soon.”
Braman, one of the co-authors of the piece, is more optimistic.
“We desperately need some kind of solution that will allow the public to hold these massive corporate criminal actors accountable and have them really address the harms that they’re generating,” he said.
Pennsylvania
Cash reward offered for information leading to Pennsylvania cold case homicide resolution
LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A cash reward is being offered for anyone who has information surrounding a 2021 cold case homicide in Lebanon County.
The $2,000 reward is for anyone who has information that can solve the case of the death of 35-year-old Zachary Lauderman, according to State Police.
Lauderman was found dead with two gunshot wounds to his head in his home, located along Ulsh lane in Bethel Township Sept. 10 just before 3 p.m., according to Troopers.
Anyone who knows something is asked to contact PSP Tips at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477), or they can go online to submit a tip by clicking here.
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Auto Show begins this weekend at the Pennsylvania Convention Center
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The Philadelphia Auto Show is about to get underway at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
It kicks off this weekend, but on Thursday Mayor Cherelle Parker and auto show executives gave us a preview of all the fun.
Organizers say this will be one of the largest shows in its 123-year history.
Car enthusiasts will get a chance to see the latest lineup from manufacturers around the globe.
“With more manufacturers, the longest track, Camp Jeep back on display… there truly is something for everyone,” said Jeff Glanzmann of Glanzmann Subaru.
That also includes classic cars and Hollywood rides from favorite films and shows, all of which will be showcased on the 600,000 square foot exhibit floor.
The Auto Show opens to the public on Saturday and runs until Jan. 20.
6abc is a proud sponsor.
Don’t miss our Philadelphia Auto Show special, which airs Saturday at 7 p.m.
For tickets and more information, visit this page on 6abc.com.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
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