Pittsburgh under 'extremely active' shooter situation, SWAT deployed
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The FBI claims to be assisting the state police, while sources tell KDKA News that the sheriff's deputies were serving an eviction notice when the occupant opened fire.
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Pittsburgh police and law enforcement personnel arrive at the shooter scene in the Garfield neighborhood in Pennsylvania on August 23, 2023 (AP)
Pittsburgh is witnessing an “extremely active” shooting situation on Wednesday as shots are “continuing to be fired” after the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office served an eviction to a resident in the Garfield neighborhood and the suspect opened fire on police, according to officials.
Pittsburgh Public Safety tweeted at 12:11 pm Wednesday: “Officers are beginning to evacuate people from the houses in the 4800 block of Broad St.”
“If you are inside, please shelter in place, dial 911, and identify your address, location. Officers will be entering to help guide you to safety," it added.
**URGENT** Avoid the 4800 block of Broad Street and N. Mathilda Street in the Garfield neighborhood due to an active shooting situation. pic.twitter.com/D6yM5tGy6c
— Pittsburgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) August 23, 2023
Police asked residents to “avoid the 4800 block of Broad Street and N. Mathilda Street in the Garfield neighborhood due to an active shooting situation.” Although officials have not yet revealed or identified the suspect, there is only one, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Mike Manko said.
The FBI claimed to be assisting state police, while sources told KDKA News that the sheriff's deputies were serving an eviction notice when the occupant opened fire as they approached the property.
Read more: 'Chaotic aftermath' caused by Pennsylvania's house blast that killed 5
It is reported and believed that "hundreds of rounds" were fired, as Pittsburgh Police SWAT is now at the scene. It is also worth mentioning that the suspect shot down two police drones.
While no deputies are believed to be shot, it is reported that they have been injured by broken glass.
Witness accounts
A woman barricaded in her basement before being evacuated said her home was struck by gunfire.
"Trying to get to the basement was almost unbearable," she expressed, adding, "Shots were ringing out everywhere. Finally made it to the basement, was able to get to a secure spot. Shots were just everywhere."
"Shots came through the window for the living room, I have holes in the bathroom, glass is shattered everywhere," she continued, saying that her husband was at work when he found out she was at home alone.
"Finally I got in touch with her, she's frantic in the basement, screaming crying," he said. "My first thing was to get home, you know what I mean? So I get here and everything is blocked off and I hear gunshots and everything. It's just something I've never heard of or imagined in this neighborhood."
The situation is currently taking place near St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery and UPMC Children's Hospital.
Witness Chris Wilkinson visiting family in the area said, "They were banging on the door where the shooting takes place. They were banging on it telling him they were there. And after a couple of minutes of them doing it, they started to kick down the door, but after a few tries they couldn't do it. Then, they got a sledgehammer and took down the door, and after that shots started to be fired. I've been really nervous and it's really sad what's happening. You think you can be safe here but you can't with what's happening."
This is a developing story...
