PITTSBURGH — Channel 11 has obtained new surveillance images showing the moment a shooter began firing shots early Sunday at the intersection of South 15th Street and East Carson Street. The video shows a man in the middle of a street, ducking behind a car and apparently firing a handgun.
Channel 11 also obtained images from a nearby pizza shop where innocent bystanders hunkered down during the exchange of gunfire. A picture also shows one of the windows at the pizza shop had been shattered by a bullet. No one inside the shop was injured.
Channel 11 has also learned that one of the suspected shooters was initially detained by police but then ordered released by an assistant district attorney. Channel 11 spoke with officers who expressed anger and frustration that the suspected gunman was released without being charged.
When Pittsburgh Police officers arrived on the chaotic scene they discovered two men with gunshot wounds, and a third man still on scene.
According to police sources, witnesses said all three men had been firing shots. It’s unclear who initiated the shooting.
Sources tell Channel 11 that the third man who was not wounded told officers he had planted two guns in an alley nearby.
Police searched that location and according to sources, discovered two handguns.
The two wounded men were taken to a hospital. Their conditions are unknown. And that third man allegedly involved in the shootout was taken to Pittsburgh Police headquarters along with witnesses for questioning.
According to law enforcement sources, after consulting with the on-call assistant district attorney for Allegheny County, the suspected shooter was released.
That drew sharp criticism from some officers, who tell Channel 11 that the response to this recent uptick in violence is, “part of the problem.”
We returned to Carson Street today and spoke with some people who were surprised an alleged shooter was released from custody.
“I don’t like that, but it’s a problem were seeing all over the country, a lot of shootings,” said one man.
“I know if I would do something like that, I’d still be in jail,” said another.
Channel 11 reached out the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office for comment about the suspect who was released.
“It’s an ongoing investigation,” said spokesman Mike Manko.
“I can see the frustration from a police officer’s viewpoint but what they have to recognize is they’re one step in the legal process. Ultimately if it were ever to be taken to court, a prosecutor must in fact prosecute the case and ascertain a conviction,” said WPXI Legal Analyst Phil Dilucente, who said the district attorney needs to make sure there’s enough evidence to support filing charges and a conviction.
“It’s always best to wait and investigate and then determine whether or not there’s a prosecution. You cannot rush to judgement as a district attorney and I think Mr. Zappala now is doing exactly that, unfolding the facts, taking interviews, sending out detectives, talking to everyone involved, and then coming to a set of charges. Too often in today’s age there are numerous complaints about charging and not investigating. He’s doing the right thing, the exact opposite. He’s investigating, and then potentially charging,” said Dilucente.
TRENDING NOW:
©2022 Cox Media Group
