Six people were arrested after a confrontation broke out during a peaceful protest near Kennywood Sunday afternoon, police said. West Mifflin police said in a post on Facebook that Kennywood Boulevard was closed between Hoffman Boulevard and Glenn Boulevard due to police activity around 3 p.m. Action News 4 was on the scene, where multiple police officers were blocking the road. West Mifflin Police Chief Gregory McCulloch told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that four people were arrested after a confrontation broke out during what he said was an “unplanned” protest.The protest was held to honor Terrel Byars Jr., who was fatally struck by a vehicle in December 2025 along Kennywood Boulevard. Terrel, 13, was a student in the East Allegheny School District. McCulloch said an officer was injured in the incident but was not taken to the hospital. Action News 4 later spoke to Byars’ mother, Naomi White, who said the peaceful protest was interrupted for no good reason.”I wanted to do a peaceful protest, so I could get answers,” Naomi said. “So I could get my voice heard about what’s going on with my son because I am not getting the answers that I want or that I need, to get the peace that I need for myself and this household.”She continued, saying, “Today was supposed to be peaceful. We was walking with a majority of kids, my son’s friends and family. And it was all interrupted, for no reason. To mace us, it’s ridiculous.” According to McCulloch, they had received many calls because about 50-60 protesters walking and blocking traffic on 867. The chief said some people became aggressive when officers tried to remove them from the street. That’s when he said officers used pepper spray. Following the incident, West Mifflin Mayor Chris Kelly issued a statement, saying, in part:The West Mifflin Police Department, along with neighboring departments, responded to a planned information march on Kennywood Boulevard. Had our police department been notified in advance, the Department would have arranged an escort to help ensure the safety of everyone involved.In this instance, the Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office, and the family have remained in contact since the tragic accident. We recognize that people grieve in different ways, and for some, bringing their grief into the public sphere can be part of the process of seeking understanding and closure.However, civil disorder does not serve that purpose and instead creates barriers where compassion and unity should exist.Our Department continues to work closely with the family as they endure the unimaginable loss of a child. As a community, we all feel the weight of such tragedies. Many of us are parents ourselves, and each loss touches us deeply.Our thoughts remain with the family during this incredibly difficult timeDownload the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. —
Six people were arrested after a confrontation broke out during a peaceful protest near Kennywood Sunday afternoon, police said.
West Mifflin police said in a post on Facebook that Kennywood Boulevard was closed between Hoffman Boulevard and Glenn Boulevard due to police activity around 3 p.m.
Action News 4 was on the scene, where multiple police officers were blocking the road.
West Mifflin Police Chief Gregory McCulloch told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that four people were arrested after a confrontation broke out during what he said was an “unplanned” protest.
The protest was held to honor Terrel Byars Jr., who was fatally struck by a vehicle in December 2025 along Kennywood Boulevard. Terrel, 13, was a student in the East Allegheny School District.
McCulloch said an officer was injured in the incident but was not taken to the hospital.
Action News 4 later spoke to Byars’ mother, Naomi White, who said the peaceful protest was interrupted for no good reason.
“I wanted to do a peaceful protest, so I could get answers,” Naomi said. “So I could get my voice heard about what’s going on with my son because I am not getting the answers that I want or that I need, to get the peace that I need for myself and this household.”
She continued, saying, “Today was supposed to be peaceful. We was walking with a majority of kids, my son’s friends and family. And it was all interrupted, for no reason. To mace us, it’s ridiculous.”
According to McCulloch, they had received many calls because about 50-60 protesters walking and blocking traffic on 867.
The chief said some people became aggressive when officers tried to remove them from the street. That’s when he said officers used pepper spray.
Following the incident, West Mifflin Mayor Chris Kelly issued a statement, saying, in part:
The West Mifflin Police Department, along with neighboring departments, responded to a planned information march on Kennywood Boulevard. Had our police department been notified in advance, the Department would have arranged an escort to help ensure the safety of everyone involved.
In this instance, the Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office, and the family have remained in contact since the tragic accident. We recognize that people grieve in different ways, and for some, bringing their grief into the public sphere can be part of the process of seeking understanding and closure.
However, civil disorder does not serve that purpose and instead creates barriers where compassion and unity should exist.
Our Department continues to work closely with the family as they endure the unimaginable loss of a child. As a community, we all feel the weight of such tragedies. Many of us are parents ourselves, and each loss touches us deeply.
Our thoughts remain with the family during this incredibly difficult time
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.