INDIANA, Pa. — Pennsylvania State Police are looking for more than one shooter involved in killing one man and hurting eight others during a packed party in White Township early Sunday morning.
PHOTOS: Pennsylvania State Police investigate mass shooting in Indiana County
“It’s certainly sad,” said Trooper Cliff Greenfield with state police. “It’s heartbreaking. It’s tragic, and it’s not anything we want to have to deal with in our profession.”
The mass shooting happened around 12:35 a.m. Sunday at Chevy Chase Community Center on North 5th Avenue, according to police. A 22-year-old man from Homestead, identified as Jamar Motae Porterfield Herriot, 22, died.
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The victims were treated at four different hospitals in the region. Some of them are still receiving treatment, while others have since been released.
Indiana County District Attorney Bob Manzi, Jr. said troopers and the mounted unit were on their way to the community center for a noise complaint when gun shots erupted.
“When they got close to the scene they heard gunfire,” he said. “They called for backup and went to the scene.”
Once there, police say people were running for their lives. They were breaking and jumping out of windows and busting through doors and part of the back patio’s fence.
“Anybody was trying to get out of there and save themselves as best as possible,” Manzi said.
State Police say the shooting happened during a private party of about 100-150 college-aged students inside the community center. The event was not sanctioned by the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), which is hosting homecoming festivities this weekend.
Detectives believe there is more than one shooter. It’s unclear if they were at the party before opening fire. Troopers urge anyone with information to immediately contact Troop A, Indiana at 724-357-1960.
The eight other victims are identified as:
- Male, 18, of Chicago, IL, who is in critical condition
- Male, 18, of Florida
- Male, 20, of Pennsylvania
- Male, 19, of Pennsylvania
- Male, 22, of Pennsylvania
- Female, 19, of Pennsylvania
- Female, 23, of Pennsylvania
- Female, 19, of Pennsylvania
“There was a lot of people there, and right now we have a young person who’s deceased and we have eight people that were shot,” Manzi said. “We know people know things from what happened there, and it is incumbent on them to come forward and provide whatever information they have. We don’t want them to worry about whether it’s relevant or not or whether it means anything. Every piece of information that can be provided to us is going to help us identify the shooters, and we’re asking everybody that was there, and everybody with information to come forward.”
Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information that solves this case. The ATF is also offering a reward of $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Troopers urge anyone with information to immediately contact Troop A, Indiana at 724-357-1960. Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information that solves this case. Anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers can be made by calling 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477) or by submitting information online.
IUP confirmed in a statement to Channel 11 that two students at the university were injured.
In a letter sent to students, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Tom Segar said he understands the violence is “frightening and may cause continued feelings of fear and worry.”
“IUP is a community that cares about one another. Your safety and security is our priority, and we continue to look for ways to improve our processes. Because we are a community, we welcome — we need — your help... We continue to work with community law enforcement to find those responsible for this incident, and we will update you as information becomes confirmed,” his statement reads in part.
Chevy Chase Community Center Executive Director Brandi Ports addressed the shooting in a Facebook post, saying they are praying for everyone involved and asking those with information to contact police. She also said the center will be closed until further notice.
Governor Josh Shapiro said he was briefed overnight about the shooting in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.
“As [State Police] investigate, Lori and I are praying for the victims of this tragedy. We ask anyone with information to reach out to the State Police. Our hearts are with the White Township community,” his statement reads in part.
Sunday evening, Indiana Area School District Superintendent Rob Heinrich sent a letter to parents about the shooting.
Heinrich said the district has been communicating with authorities and, at this time, does not believe any IASD students are involved in the incident in any way. He went on to say that state police are indicating that there is no threat to students or staff in the district.
“Other than the proximity of the event to the Senior High School, there is nothing we are aware of that should affect our normal operations. It is however a tragic event, and a somber reminder that our community is not immune to the ever-growing violent reality in our country,” Heinrich said in the letter.
IASD schools will have a police presence when students return to classes on Tuesday but Heinrich said this is not related to the shooting that happened at the community center but said it is part of their normal efforts to keep the schools safe.
Heinrich told families that the school had active shooter training drills scheduled for October. He emphasized these were already scheduled to happen in October and are not happening as a result of the mass shooting. No gunshots or blanks will be fired during the drills. Parents who do not want their child or children to participate in the drills were asked to contact the schools. Students not participating in the drills will have a location where they can stay as they are held.
“In closing, I would like to once again thank those who work hard every day to keep our community safe. The PA State Police, the Indiana Borough Police, EMS Professionals, Firefighters, and first responders of all types. They are truly local heroes, and we truly appreciate them all. And lastly, I would like to state that our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this event; the young person who lost their life; those who were injured; and the families who will be forever changed by this senseless act. I wish them healing and justice, and hope for the day when we no longer have to worry about violence cutting young lives short in America,” said Heinrich.
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