Shots fired at a party in Pittsburgh early Sunday left two minors dead and at least eight others injured, police said.
Hundreds of people had gathered at a short-term rental property, the ‘vast majority’ of them underage, Pittsburgh Police Department Chief Scott Schubert told reporters at a news conference at noon.
Shortly after some sort of altercation, shots were fired around 12:30 p.m. inside and outside, “and potentially in both directions,” Schubert said. Casings found at the scene indicate that handguns and a rifle were used, and police believe there were multiple shooters, Schubert said.
Two male victims died in hospital, police said, and eight others were being treated for gunshot wounds. A police statement initially said nine people were shot and injured, but Schubert revised the numbers at the press conference. The names of the two deceased young men were not immediately released.
Others were injured trying to escape, Schubert said. Two who jumped out of windows had broken bones, authorities said. A victim was injured after a car was “shot down”, Schubert said.
George Stevens said he was outside a bar next to the rental property having a cigarette when he heard what he thought were fireworks and then saw children running away.
Stevens told The Associated Press he left three girls hiding in his vehicle and calling their parents as bullets flew by. He said he saw someone inside the rental property holding a gun as children ran screaming and crying in all directions away from the building.
“It happened so fast,” he said. “It was just crazy. Kids were running around.
ShotSpotter said more than 90 shots were fired, and Schubert said “we know there was a lot more than that between the inside of the structure and the outside.” Police were processing evidence at no less than eight separate crime scenes spanning a few blocks around the rental home. Officers who arrived found a “very chaotic” scene with injured victims, medics trying to treat them and people fleeing on foot and in vehicles, he said.
No arrests were immediately reported, but Schubert said “it’s our top priority to find out who did this and get them off the streets.” He said he couldn’t comment on a possible motive, but he denounced the number of illegal weapons and also many people having access to them as well as the potent mix of alcohol, drugs and firearms.
“It’s heartbreaking; here we are at Easter and we have several families, two who will not see a loved one,” Schubert said. “Others who are going to be – how can you even have a vacation when your child has been 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 disclose their conditions or other details. information.
Neighbor Mitchell Wilston, 30, told the AP that he and his wife weren’t home during the shooting, but before they left they saw the neighborhood packed with people, with cars parked in the wrong way on the street and a line in front of the rented house.
“It was so obvious there was going to be a problem – there was a line of 14-year-olds trying to get into this place,” he said. The house has been rented out in the past for hen parties or other events, or for families of baseball players due to its proximity to the stadium, but no problems have arisen, he said. declared.
In the morning, Wilston found his wife’s white car spattered with blood, possibly from someone fleeing the shooting and trying to hide behind the vehicle, he said.
Airbnb spokesperson Ben Breit confirmed that the house was rented through the company. He said the booker, who should have been 18 or older under Airbnb rules, received a lifetime ban. Breit’s statement says the party was held without the knowledge of the host, whose listing banned parties and announced a nightly curfew.
Breit said Airbnb is cooperating with authorities: “We share the Pittsburgh community’s outrage at this tragic gun violence. Our hearts go out to all those affected, including loved ones of those who lost their lives, injured victims and neighbours.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey condemned the violence, which he attributed in part to the failure to get guns off the streets and provide adequate resources to communities. He said the city would convene a meeting with local leaders to get feedback on a new approach to citywide public safety.
“Now is the time for us to act with a sense of urgency to bring justice to the victims and peace to our city,” said Gainey, who is isolated due to recent exposure to COVID-19, in a statement.
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Associated Press reporters Ron Todt in Philadelphia and Rebecca Reynolds in Louisville, Ky., contributed to this report.
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