Pittsburgh is in the midst of an “extremely” active gunfight, with “hundreds” of shots being fired down a residential street.
Several SWAT teams are on site at the 4800 block of Broad Street and N. Mathilda Street in Garfield, Pittsburgh. The gunman barricaded himself in a house after police tried to serve him an eviction notice around 11am.
The suspect also shot down two police drones that were circling the house to provide assistance and knowledge to teams on the ground.
Sheriff’s deputies attempted to serve an eviction notice. The house belonged to the man’s relatives, and when they died, he refused to leave the house. The property was sold for tax purposes and now has a new owner. But the squatter still refused to leave.
The attorney for the home’s new buyers told CBS that officials had been warned that the squatter was heavily armed and that the matter was sensitive.
Witnesses said that after police knocked on the door to speak to the person inside, they used a sledgehammer to get in. At this point the shots began.
Video taken at the scene showed several police cars surrounding the residential street while at least 15 gunshots were fired in the background. Police issued an urgent alert this morning: “This is an extremely active situation with gunfire continuing.” Please avoid the area at this time.
Several SWAT teams are at the scene – and the gunman is said to have barricaded himself in a house after cops tried to serve him an eviction order
Witnesses said that after police knocked on the door to speak to the person inside, they used a sledgehammer to get in. At this point the shots began
The ordeal ended in a shootout in which “hundreds” of shots were fired.
It is clear that there is only one suspect. Residents on the block were told to stay in place, call 911 and wait for officers to evacuate.
Police issued an urgent alert this morning: ‘This is an extremely active situation with continued shooting.’ Please avoid the area at this time.’
According to initial reports, some MPs have run out of ammunition. Others were injured during the standoff.
About a dozen Pittsburgh SWAT officers were seen arriving at the scene and preparing to confront the shooter.
One MP was “pinned” in a defensive position during the attack. He was rescued by a member of the SWAT team, CBS reported.
The ordeal takes place not far from St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery and UPMC Children’s Hospital.
Video taken at the scene showed several police cars circling the residential street while at least 20 gunshots were fired in the background.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a neighbor said he heard hundreds of gunshots when the shooting began — and there have been hundreds of gunshots since.
SWAT is now going door to door evacuating everyone on the street. As of 12:20 p.m., shots were still being fired
Residents were told to avoid the 4800 block of Broad Street and N. Mathilda Street in Garfield, Pittsburgh
He immediately landed on the floor in his living room as police told people to stay away from windows.
Chris Wilkinson, who is visiting family in the area, told CBS, “In the beginning, all we heard was the police.” They knocked on the door where the shooting took place.
“They banged on it and told him they were there.” And after a few minutes they started kicking in the door, but after a few tries they couldn’t.
“Then they got a sledgehammer and broke down the door, and after that shots started being fired.” I was really nervous and it’s really sad what’s happening.
“You think you can be safe here, but given what’s happening, you can’t.”
SWAT is now going door to door evacuating everyone on the street.
The Neighborhood Academy School has been locked down. West Penn Hospital is partially on lockdown.
As of 12:20 p.m., shots were still being fired. Volleys of bullets continue to be fired.
SWAT members on the ground have now deployed robots.
Leslie Thompson, who lives in the house across from the hubbub: “It’s amazing.” I’m very nervous. Shots were fired everywhere.’
Thompson, who was working from home at the time, told CBS she ran to the basement when she heard the ordeal outside her window.
She screamed and cried while speaking to her manager on the phone – and shots were fired inside her home as well.
The witness said the shots came through her window in her living room and bathroom – which is now riddled with bullet holes.
Glass was shattered all over her house, she said.
Thompson was evacuated from her home by police.
She said it was by “the grace of God” that she was alive.