Pittsburgh: Two minors were killed and at least eight people injured in a shooting at a house party in Pittsburgh early Sunday. police gave this information.
Pittsburgh Police Department Chief Scott Schubert told reporters at a mid-day news conference that hundreds of people had gathered at a short-term rental property, a “vast majority” of them underage.
Schubert said shots were fired in and out, “and potentially back-and-forth” shortly after some sort of brawl took place, around 12:30 p.m. Schubert said coverings found at the scene indicate that a handgun and a rifle were used and that police believe there were several shooters.
Two male victims died in hospital, police said, and eight more are being treated for gunshot wounds. A police release initially said nine people had been wounded by gunfire, but Schubert revised the numbers at the press conference. The names of the two male youths who died were not immediately released.
Others were injured trying to escape, Schubert said. Officials said two people who jumped from the windows had broken bones. Schubert said one victim was injured after a car was “shot down”.
George Stevens said he was smoking a cigarette outside a bar next to a rental property when he heard what he thought were fireworks, then saw children running.
Stevens told The Associated Press that he let the three girls hide in his vehicle and called their parents as the shots went off. He said he saw someone holding a gun inside the rental property as the children ran away from the building screaming and crying in every direction.
“It happened so quickly,” he said. “It was just crazy. Kids were running everywhere.”
Shotspotter indicated that more than 90 rounds were fired, and Schubert said, “There was much more inside and outside the structure than we know.” Police were processing evidence at eight different crime sites spread over a few blocks around the rented house. He said oncoming officers found a “very chaotic” scene with injured victims, doctors trying to treat them and people running away on foot and in vehicles.
No arrests were immediately reported but Schubert said, “It is our top priority to find out who did it and get them off the road.” He said he could not comment on a possible motive, but he condemned the number of illegal guns and the many people with access to them, as well as the potent mix of alcohol, drugs and guns.
“It’s heartbreaking; here we are at Easter and we have many families, two who won’t see a loved one,” Schubert said. “Others that are going to happen – how can you even take leave when your child was involved in something traumatic like this?”
Allegheny General Health reported that seven people were treated at Allegheny General Hospital and one at Jefferson Hospital for gunshot wounds or other injuries, but officials declined to release their condition or other information.
Neighbor Michelle Wilston, 30, told the Associated Press that he and his wife were not at home during the shooting, but before leaving they saw a neighborhood full of people, with cars parked the wrong way down the street and near a rented house. There was a line outside.
“It was so clear that there was going to be a problem – a line of 14-year-olds trying to get to this place,” he said. The home has previously been rented out for bachelorette parties or other events, or for families of baseball players because of it’s proximity to the stadium, but there had been no problems, he said.
That morning, Wilston found his wife’s white car covered in blood, possibly from someone fleeing the shooting and trying to hide behind the vehicle, he said.
Airbnb spokesman Ben Breit confirmed that the home was rented through the company. He said Booker, who must be 18 or older according to Airbnb rules, has received a lifetime ban. Breit’s statement said the party was thrown without the knowledge of the host, whose listing banned parties and advertised an overnight noise curfew.
Breit said Airbnb is cooperating with officials: “We share the outrage of the Pittsburgh community about this tragic gun violence. Our hearts are with all those affected – including those who lost their lives, were injured.” Loved ones of the victims and neighbors are involved.”
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Geany condemned the violence, which he attributed to a failure to remove guns from the streets and to provide adequate resources to communities. He said the city would convene a meeting with local leaders to get feedback on a new, citywide approach to public safety.
Gainey, who has recently been in isolation due to the risk of COVID-19, said in a statement, “The time has come for us to move forward with a sense of urgency to bring justice to the victims and peace in our city.” Go on.”
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Associated Press journalists Ron Todd in Philadelphia and Rebecca Reynolds in Louisville, Kentucky contributed to this report.
