Two minors were killed and at least eight people were injured when shots were fired at a house party in Pittsburgh, US, early on Sunday.
Pittsburgh Police Department Chief Scott Schubert told reporters during an afternoon news conference that the shooting occurred at around 12:30 a.m. during a party at a short-lived rental property where hundreds of people had gathered—a “vast majority” of them less. were of age.
Schubert said, shortly after some sort of brawl broke out, shots were fired from both inside and outside, “and potentially back-and-forth”. 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 boys who died were not immediately released.
Schubert said others were injured jumping out of windows, falling down stairs or just trying to take cover or run away. Officials said two people who jumped from the windows had broken bones. Schubert said one victim was injured after a car was “shot down”.
Shotspotter indicated that more than 90 rounds were fired “and there was much more inside and outside the structure than we know,” Schubert said. Arriving officers found a “very chaotic” scene with wounded victims, doctors trying to treat them, and people running away on foot and in vehicles.
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There were no immediate arrests, but Schubert said, “It is our top priority to find out who did this 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 is heart-wrenching; Here we are at Easter and we have several families, two that won’t see a loved one,” Schubert said. Was?”
Police were processing evidence at eight different crime scenes spread over a few blocks around the shooting site. Officials asked anyone with information, including videos or photographs of people present at the party, to be sent to the authorities.
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 his terms or other information.
Neighbor Michelle Wilston, 30, told The Associated Press that he and his wife were outside during the shooting, but before leaving they saw a neighborhood full of people, cars parked the wrong way down the street and outside a rented house. There was a line.
“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 for bachelorette parties or other events, or for families of baseball players because of its proximity to the stadium, but there have been no problems, 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 the loved ones of those who lost their lives.” , injured victims and neighbours.”
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.
“It’s very, very disappointing to see the way the bullets were fired, perpendicular to our house,” he said, as he looked from his desk to the adjoining building and from another window to see bullet holes in the other building. can.
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.
“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,” Ganey, who has recently been in isolation due to COVID-19 exposure, said in a statement.