Jun 13, 2018 5 min read

Five years ago on Father’s Day, Suzanne and John Kelley were just getting home from church when John’s cellphone rang. His brother was on the other end, calling to tell them their brother, Vince “Mystro” Kelley, had been shot and was at Washington Hospital, where he later died.

“I had my cellphone off because we were in church,” John said. “My brother was asking me why I wasn’t answering my phone and that Vince was at the hospital.”

Vinnie Kelley was shot and killed June 16, 2013, after he jumped into the back seat of a car as the robber who held up Citizens Bank inside Giant Eagle at Strabane Square, South Strabane Township, was making his getaway.

Wanting to keep Vinnie’s memory alive, as well as the memories of others who have lost their lives to violence in Washington County and the surrounding communities, Mystro’s Movement is hosting a free community event from 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday at The Alpine Club, 735 Jefferson Ave., Washington.

Kelley and another man were inside the store when they heard a woman scream and saw the robber jump back over the counter and head for the door. They followed the robber outside. Kelley continued to pursue him even after the robber turned and pointed a gun at those chasing him. Vinnie jumped inside the car and was reaching for his knife when he was shot. He fell from the open car door as the robber drove around the back of the store.

“We are still waiting for justice for Vinnie,” Suzanne Kelley said last week. “But we are doing things in the community to keep his memory alive.”

“It is frustrating,” she added. “But the police tell us they are still working on it every day.”

“The anniversary of Vinnie Kelley’s murder serves as a reminder to us that the family has been grieving for five long years, without justice and without closure,” said Chief Drew Hilk. Hilk was named chief earlier this year after longtime chief Donald Zofchak retired at the end of February.

“We have a full-time investigations unit that is committed to bringing this murderer to justice,” Hilk said. “They have and will continue to thoroughly investigate any new information related to the murder.”

Hilk said the department is unable to release any new information at this time.

John and Suzanne said Vinnie’s daughter, 24-year-old Sierra Kelley, is getting by one day at a time. She and her mother are trying to tell her 5-year-old son, Romeo, about his grandfather, showing him pictures and telling stories about him. Suzanne said the boy, who was an infant when his grandfather died, has no real memories of him.

John said his brother was a prankster who loved kids. He would volunteer as a skate guard at the former Pancake Roller Rink.

“He did that frequently,” John said. “Our dad taught us to roller skate.”

Vinnie also enjoyed riding motorcycles. His nickname, “Mystro,” was his club name with the Brothers of the Hammer motorcycle club.

Suzanne said having immersed herself in community work has helped. Mystro’s Movement is very involved in supporting others at their time of tragedy and beyond.

Suzanne said the group partnered with CASA and domestic crimes awareness. Mystro’s Movement fills backpacks with school supplies at the start of the school year and the summer food program for school-age children at about a dozen sites throughout Washington. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, they help families who are victims of violent crimes with food and toys. On the 16th of each month on Suzanne’s Facebook page, a drawing is held to pay it forward in the community, giving away things like a movie package for four children or restaurant gift cards.

“We wanted to remember Vinnie in a positive way because he loved kids so much,” Suzanne said. “He would love what we are doing.”

If someone is killed in a violent act, Mystro’s Movement will donate to the funeral expenses. The group also has volunteers who will sit with the family of a victim during the trial to offer support.

A bike run is held each year to raise money to finance the efforts , she added.

And she has been recognized for her efforts in the community by various organizations, most recently honored for that community service at Zonta’s Rose Day celebration.

John and Suzanne said businesses in the community have been very supportive of the event being called Victims of Violent Crimes Awareness Day and the Fifth Memorial Anniversary for Vinnie M. Kelley. A banner will be hung with a list of 47 victims of violence.

There will be free food, a Chinese auction, door prizes, entertainment, face painting, a magician as well as visits from the city police and fire departments.

State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll, will discuss the recently passed Tierne’s Law and Mike Markley will discuss the opioid addiction epidemic.

John said there is still a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in his brother’s murder.

“It is just crazy that no one saw anything,” John said. “You would think with all of those cameras, someone would know something.”

“We want to keep his name out there until something happens,” Suzanne said.

Hilk asked anyone with any information that they feel is relative to the murder to call township police at 724-225-8111.

For more information on the event, call 724-554-0575. Anyone interested in volunteering to help should just stop at the Alpine that day.