Grieving mother speaks out after daughter's death in Braddock shooting

Mia Merideth mourns the loss of her 26-year-old daughter Quinn Venay, who was killed in a weekend shooting in Braddock.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 3:53am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of a single spent shell casing on a dark surface, creating a stark, gritty visual that conceptually represents the aftermath of a shooting incident.A mother's grief over her daughter's tragic death exposes the devastating human toll of gun violence in Pittsburgh communities.Today in Pittsburgh

The mother of a 26-year-old woman who was shot and killed in Braddock, Pennsylvania over the weekend is speaking out about the devastating loss of her daughter Quinn Venay. Mia Merideth described the immense pain and grief she is experiencing, as well as her daughter's history of battling depression and suicidal thoughts before finding purpose in her growing modeling career. Venay was one of three women shot by a man across the street, with the other two victims hospitalized.

Why it matters

This tragic shooting in the Braddock neighborhood highlights the ongoing gun violence issues plaguing communities across the Pittsburgh region. It also sheds light on the mental health challenges many young people face, and the importance of supporting those struggling with depression and suicidal ideation.

The details

According to police, Venay was shot and killed along Braddock Avenue near Club Elegance on Saturday morning. Two other women were also shot and hospitalized in the incident. Merideth said her daughter was not a target, and the family is unsure of the motive behind the shooting.

  • The shooting occurred on Saturday morning in Braddock.
  • Merideth rushed to the scene after learning something was wrong with her daughter.

The players

Mia Merideth

The mother of 26-year-old Quinn Venay, who was killed in the Braddock shooting. Merideth described the immense grief and pain she is experiencing after losing her daughter.

Quinn Venay

A 26-year-old woman who was shot and killed in the Braddock shooting. Venay was a baker, hairstylist, and model who had recently overcome her struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's hard to sleep because every time I wake up, I feel this pain in my chest like it was the pain that she felt. It's the thought of going back to sleep knowing that I'm going to wake up with that same feeling again, knowing my baby was scared.”

— Mia Merideth, Mother of Quinn Venay

“Knowing that something was wrong with Quinn and I had to rush over there, the whole time I just prayed to God because he always told me he would protect all five of my kids.”

— Mia Merideth, Mother of Quinn Venay

“She was so full of life. She brought laughter into every room she entered.”

— Mia Merideth, Mother of Quinn Venay

“Quinn battled with depression at a young age, and she battled being suicidal. In the last year and a half or so, she overcame the demon of depression, and I was so proud of her.”

— Mia Merideth, Mother of Quinn Venay

“It's OK to not be OK.”

— Mia Merideth, Mother of Quinn Venay

What’s next

Allegheny County police are continuing to investigate the shooting and search for the suspect. The community is rallying around the Venay family to provide support during this difficult time.

The takeaway

This tragic loss highlights the ongoing gun violence crisis in the Pittsburgh region and the importance of addressing mental health challenges, especially among young people. Merideth's message that 'it's OK to not be OK' is a powerful reminder of the need for greater mental health awareness and support.