Early Sunday morning in Uniontown, the tight‑knit Perry County community woke up to grief and shock. At about 1 a.m., police were called to the 200 block of Water Avenue after reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, 26‑year‑old Erika Latavia Latham, a Reform resident, had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene. The sudden loss reverberated through family circles and neighbors, many of whom knew her as a warm and spirited young woman taken far too soon.
State Bureau of Investigation agents took the lead on the case with support from Uniontown police and the Perry County Sheriff’s Office. By Monday afternoon authorities had arrested 33‑year‑old Deandre Brandell Langhorne of Uniontown. He was booked into the Perry County Jail on a manslaughter charge and remains in custody as the investigation continues. Law enforcement has not released details on a motive, leaving many in the community searching for answers.
Friends and relatives gathered in hushed groups, recalling Latham’s laughter and kindness. To them she wasn’t just a name in a report, she was a daughter with plans and people who loved her. The quiet sadness in Uniontown speaks to the hole her death has left in homes and hearts alike.
Police Chief Mike Kiser spoke with a somber tone, urging residents to lean on each other during this painful time. He echoed a frustration felt by many here: a young life erased in a moment of violence that seemed to have no reason or warning.
Investigation teams are processing interviews and evidence, determined to build a full picture of what happened that night. But for now, the questions hang heavy in the air — why this, and why her? Loved ones say they just want justice and peace.
As Perry County residents try to return to normal routines, support and memories continue to pour in. Flowers, shared stories and quiet moments of remembrance underscore how deeply Latham’s presence will be missed. Her name now carries the weight of community grief, and her memory will be spoken with both tears and smiles.
The sheriff’s office says updates will be provided as the case unfolds, but families and friends in Uniontown are already left trying to make sense of a tragedy that changed their lives in an instant.
