Erie residents demand answers after parole agent fatally shoots Marcello "Cello" Woodard; council apologizes for silence

Dozens of Erie residents pressed the Erie County Council on Aug. 12, 2025, to demand transparency and swift action after the July 2 shooting death of Marcello “Cello” Woodard, accusing officials of prolonged silence and urging immediate arrests and reforms.

At a hearing dominated by public comment, family members, clergy and activists repeatedly called on the council to speak publicly, to press law-enforcement partners for answers and to pursue changes such as body cameras for parole agents. “How long do we wait for justice?” asked Michelle Dobachot, a longtime Erie resident. “We will no longer stay silent. We are no longer being patient.”

The demonstrators — many wearing Justice for Cello signs and chanting outside the meeting — described a pattern of distrust toward local and state agencies. Speakers said video footage disputed early public statements about the encounter and urged the district attorney and Pennsylvania State Police to file charges. Charles Woodard, Marcello’s father, told the council, “The video speaks for itself,” and pressed officials to “bring the body forward.”

Family members and supporters gave consistent accounts at the microphone: they described Woodard as unarmed and said the shooting left a neighborhood grieving. Snowy Crosby — who identified herself as Woodard’s sister — described the family’s ongoing trauma and asked why criminal charges had not been announced. Several speakers cited a widely shared timeline: the shooting occurred July 2, and the family and its supporters had pressed for answers continually in the 41 days that followed.

Speakers also criticized a written response attributed to the council’s solicitor. Multiple commentators said a letter from County Council solicitor Tom Talarico advised the council not to engage publicly, and they said the guidance had left the public feeling disregarded. Chanel, an Erie resident, said the solicitor’s letter signaled that the council would “not respond to public comment,” and asked the council to issue a public statement backing reforms and funding for body cameras on parole agents.

Several faith leaders and nonprofit representatives urged immediate outreach to Woodard’s family. Sister Jacqueline Sanchez Small, reading a statement from area religious justice teams, said the community’s “sorrow and outrage” required action and asked council members to “use your authority to speak out.” Mimi O’Connor, who has joined several rallies, said the family deserved “answers, complete transparency and accountability.”

At the meeting’s close, multiple council members acknowledged the public’s anger and apologized for what they described as insufficient public communication. Councilman Copeland said, “I am terribly sorry for your loss,” and said he had attended a memorial service. Councilman Drexel said, “If I have let you down by keeping silent … I’m sorry for that. I won’t do it again.” Several council members said they were constrained by an ongoing criminal investigation and by legal advice but pledged to press for information within those limits.

The county solicitor, the Pennsylvania State Police and the district attorney’s office were repeatedly cited by speakers as having primary investigatory responsibility; speakers did not identify any charges that had been filed by the DA as of Aug. 12. Several commentators referenced national civil-rights attorneys who had visited Erie on the family’s behalf.

Council business that followed the public-comment period included routine votes and the first reading of several budget-related ordinances. Council approved minutes from the previous meeting and passed a mediation settlement resolution and a series of appointments; one housing-authority appointment failed on a 4–3 vote. The council set future committee and full-meeting dates, and adjourned.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (previous meeting): Approved (roll call: Drexel yes; Horton yes; Schauerman yes; Winarski yes; Bale yes; Copeland yes; Chairman Scatella yes). - Ordinance (first reading) — Public Health Fund supplemental appropriation $4,938 for tuberculosis funds (Ordinance No. 37-2025): First reading introduced; no final vote recorded. - Ordinance (first reading) — General Fund supplemental appropriation $30,000 for new central booking fee line item (Ordinance No. 38-2025): First reading introduced; no final vote recorded. - Ordinance (first reading) — General Fund supplemental appropriation $366,000 for federal reimbursement of county prison boiler replacement (Ordinance No. 39-2025): First reading introduced; no final vote recorded. - Resolution (abatement/exoneration) — Child Development Centers Inc.: Introduced as Resolution No. 17-2025 and approved (roll call affirmative). - Resolution No. 18-2025 — Approve mediation settlement agreement: Approved (roll call: unanimous affirmative among members present). - Appointment — Carlos Mora Rangel to Erie County Human Relations Commission Advisory Board: Approved (roll call: unanimous affirmative among members present). - Reappointment — Jack Lee to Erie County Land Bank (term to 12/31/2029): Approved (roll call: unanimous affirmative among members present). - Possible appointment — Lawrence Brown to Erie County Housing Authority (term to 12/31/2029): Motion failed 4–3 (yes: Bale, Schauerman, Winarski; no: Copeland, Drexel, Horton, Chairman Scatella). The transcript records the failure of that appointment motion. - Sale of a parcel from the depository for unsold property (index no. 24004007201281): Approved (roll call affirmative). - Motion to table item j: Approved (roll call affirmative).

Why it matters

Family members and community leaders told the council their trust in local institutions has eroded and demanded that elected officials do more to communicate, press investigative partners and, where appropriate, pursue reforms such as equipping parole agents with body cameras. Council members offered apologies for perceived silence and pledged to continue seeking information, while noting legal limits during an active investigation.

What’s next

Speakers at the meeting urged rapid action from the district attorney and Pennsylvania State Police; they also asked the council for public statements, funding for body cameras and continued public engagement. The council set regular committee and full-meeting dates and did not schedule additional votes on the first‑read ordinances at this meeting.