Pittsburgh Police officer fired upon immediately while responding to 911 call, suspect shot

PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh Police officer, the first to respond to a 911 about a domestic dispute, was shot at immediately by the suspect, investigators say.

PHOTOS: Pittsburgh streets blocked off for officer-involved shooting investigation

The officer was not hit, but he did return fire, wounding the suspect who was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

Now, the Allegheny County Police Department will take over the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

Allegheny County Police Superintendent, Chris Kearns says this began as a domestic disturbance call just after 11 a.m. Tuesday. He said a woman in the home was assaulted and had facial injuries and responding officers were aware the suspect was armed and dangerous.

“There were other officers dispatched,” Supt. Kearns said. “He was the first one here and he was met with gunfire.”

Kearns says multiple shots were exchanged between the Pittsburgh officer and the suspect.

“I believe it was an active gunfight where both the suspect and the officer were moving,” Kearns said.

The officer who fired his weapon is a 10-year veteran with Pittsburgh Police and has no disciplinary record, according to Pittsburgh Police Chief, Larry Scirotto.

“He acted appropriately under the circumstances and we’re just thankful he wasn’t injured,” Chief Scirotto added.

The suspect hasn’t been identified yet, but County Police say he’s a man in his 20s. Pittsburgh Police say Allegheny County Police will now take over the investigation into both the assault and officer-involved shooting.

This comes less than a year after hundreds of rounds were exchanged over the course of a day between police and a man barricaded in a home just two blocks away on Broad Street. He was ultimately killed.

Neighbors tell Channel 11 they’re traumatized, and they don’t come outside until they see police. Joe Gaines says that’s what he did when he heard the shots this morning.

“It was a bunch of shots - like a bunch,” Gaines said. “Stay inside, come out and check your property, your vehicles, that’s about it.”

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