Family forgives Braddock man who killed well-known street minister

The Rev. Sheldon Stoudemire would have wanted to help the man who shot him.

And he would have forgiven him, too.

That’s why on Monday, during an emotional hearing in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, that’s what Stoudemire’s family did on his behalf.

Gerald Adams, 22, of Braddock pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and gun charges before Judge Randal B. Todd.

As part of a plea agreement, Adams was ordered to serve 20 to 40 years in prison.

After Stoudemire’s family gave their statements, Adams offered an apology.

Stoudemire, who worked as a night monitor at the Pleasant Valley Men’s Shelter on Brighton Road, was shot and killed in the early morning of July 27, 2019, when he refused to allow Adams to enter in the middle of the night.

Adams fired through a glass door, striking Stoudemire, 57, in the chest, police said. The incident was captured on security cameras.

Pittsburgh officers caught Adams a short time later. Police recovered two guns that he discarded.

Stoudemire, who was known as “Sarge,” worked part-time at the shelter. He had served six years in the military as an Army Ranger and once was a professional boxer.

He was well-known in the area as a street minister for 25 years, his wife told the court on Monday.

Karol Stoudemire said her husband dedicated his life to anti-violence initiatives in Braddock and Clairton. He was a founding member of the Pittsburgh chapter of Men Against Destruction-Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder.

“Throughout his life, he served people by way of preaching, witnessing, encouraging, motivating, praying, teaching, listening, and most importantly, loving them,” his wife said.

He was passionate about going into communities struck by gun violence and offering his voice and strength.

During Monday’s hearing, Karol Stoudemire told Adams that there is hope for him to become a productive member of society.

“My husband’s life was not in vain. Let not his dying be in vain,” she said. “Mr. Adams, you are that male that he wanted to reach out to. You have an opportunity to be part of Rev. Sheldon Stoudemire’s vision, mission and purpose.”

Karol Stoudemire said that she struggled with thoughts of suicide and depression after her husband’s death.

Now, though, she continued, she lobbies for gun safety legislation and is involved in other initiatives to stop violence.

She called it a “journey of a new normal.

“All I have are the beautiful memories to help bring peace and comfort during this difficult time,” she said. “Now, today, I am learning to live in the sunshine of my husband’s life instead of the dark shadow of his death.”