Sister of man slain in New Kensington 'trying to be patient' with case unsolved

It’s been almost two months since newspaper delivery driver Gregory Lee Smith was shot and killed while on the job.

His family and New Kensington police are still looking for answers regarding Smith’s slaying May 23.

“They haven’t gotten anybody yet,” Mary Spekis of Lower Burrell, Smith’s sister, told the Tribune-Review this week. “I have a little sympathy for the police department because I can’t imagine with everything they’re going through with all these shootings in the area. I’m trying to be patient and keep praying that they’re going to find someone.

“They told me that they’re still investigating it. I just don’t know what to make of any of it.”

Smith, 69, of New Kensington was shot and killed while out on his route delivering the Tribune-Review early in the morning in New Kensington. He was shot in the head. His death has been ruled a homicide.

Attempts to reach police Chief Bob Deringer to discuss the status of the investigation this week were unsuccessful. Detective Sgt. Paul Manke, in a Wednesday e-mail to the Tribune-Review, said there is no new information in the case.

Trib Total Media is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of anyone in Smith’s death.

An Army sergeant during the Vietnam era, Smith started delivering the Tribune-Review on May 15 as an independent contractor.

Manke said no one has reached out to the department with any information or tips since the reward was announced.

Spekis remains hopeful police will solve her brother’s murder. She said they reach out to her regularly in regard to the investigation.

“They’re definitely are working on it,” she said.

Smith’s killing was one of six reported shootings in the cities of New Kensington and Arnold within a six-week period. The latest incident ended with the arrest of Allen Duwayne Herring, who is accused of fatally shooting Gregory Ray Wynkoop, 35, of East Franklin, during a June 28 robbery in Arnold.

Police believe Smith was shot at the intersection of Catalpa Street and Kenneth Avenue. His car continued south and crashed into a fence in the 1200 block of Kenneth Avenue.

Deringer told the Tribune-Review on June 6 that investigators have been able to review surveillance footage from the area, but none have shown the shooting scene.

The killing prompted New Kensington police to step up patrols from Seventh Street to the Arnold line and Constitution Boulevard to Freeport Road, Deringer told the Tribune-Review in May.

Spekis said her brother was dedicated to his job, and it was something he enjoyed.

“He was really good from what everybody had told me as far as bringing the paper right to the door or right to the mailbox. He was always there,” she said. “If they didn’t get a paper, they’d call him and he’d stop whatever he was doing and take it over to them. He seemed to like the job.”

Smith had been alone in his car. When police found him, he was unconscious. He died at the scene.