Sister says Tarentum fatal stabbing victim was trying to protect friend during altercation

Thomas Baczynski was trying to protect his friend when he was fatally stabbed Sunday in Tarentum, according to his sister.

Baczynski, 26, died about 6:30 p.m. at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison after an altercation involving three men in the rear of Davidson Street along Companion Way in the West Tarentum neighborhood.

Lea Baczynski, 23, of South Ormond Street in Tarentum said her brother was with a close friend who asked that he accompany him to a home on Davidson Street where his young daughter lived with her mother so he could visit the child.

“Tommy’s friend was scared after he spoke to his ex (girlfriend) because he had trouble with her and her boyfriend in the past,” Baczynski said.

Baczynski said her brother’s friend was threatened in the past because he raised concerns about the man who was spending so much time with his daughter.

“The guy threatened Tommy’s friend because he told him he didn’t know who he was and that he was the dad,” Baczynski said.

“But they weren’t going over there to cause any problems,” she said, “My brother’s friend just wanted to visit with his daughter.”

Baczynski said her brother stayed in the vehicle while his friend went to the house.

“Before he even got to the door, the guy came charging out and they started arguing,” Baczynski said. “My brother went over to them and told his friend they should go and started walking him to the car when he was stabbed.”

Allegheny County Police have not verified that account since their investigation is continuing.

Police said a suspect has been identified, but they have not yet announced whether he will be charged.

The county police are asking anyone with information about the stabbing to call their tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (255-8477). Callers can remain anonymous.

Jamie Gross, who is a close family friend, said Thomas Baczynski was driven to Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison after he was stabbed because his friend felt his condition was too grave to wait for an ambulance.

“The doctors were able to stabilize Tommy at the hospital, and they called for a helicopter to take him to Allegheny General Hospital,” Gross said. “Unfortunately, they didn’t know there was internal bleeding until his blood pressure dropped and his heart rate went up. They opened his chest cavity, but it was too late. He died before the helicopter was able to get there.”

Baczynski said her brother’s death has been difficult for her and her older sister, April, 28.

“After our parents died, it was just the three of us and our nephew left, so we stuck together and were close,” she said. “Tommy was my best friend. It hurts so much to lose him.”

To help the family with funeral expenses, a GoFundMe page was set up. As of Tuesday evening, $2,185 of its $2,700 goal had been raised.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Kelly L. Corridoni Funeral Home in Avonmore.