NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — Shots were fired at an undercover police vehicle in New Kensington Tuesday night, and two suspects were arrested Wednesday, police sources confirmed to Channel 11 News.
The shots were fired about 7 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Kenneth Avenue and Locust Street.
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Authorities said the vehicle, the back window of which was shot out, was being used by undercover police for an undercover operation. No one was hurt.
When Channel 11 News arrived at the scene, officers said they were looking for several suspects. They had guns drawn and flashlights in hand as they searched.
The two arrests were made Wednesday at the Hilltop Parkview Manor Apartments on Duquesne Place Drive in Duquesne, police sources told Channel 11’s Melanie Gillespie.
Nearby Westmoreland Community College was placed on lockdown for a short period of time Tuesday night.
“We took the necessary steps to ensure the safety of our students, staff and faculty by following the directives provided by law enforcement,” Dr. Tuesday Stanley, Westmoreland County Community College president, said.
The shooting happened only a few blocks away from where New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw was shot and killed in 2017.
Duquesne police Chief Thomas Dunlevy told Channel 11 officers in Westmoreland County called him Tuesday night about two guys who might have been involved in the shooting.
Duquesne detectives went out to that area and worked with the U.S. Marshals Service of Western Pennsylvania, state police and a number of other agencies to find the suspects.
On Wednesday morning, they were told both suspects might be driving to Duquesne so police setup a surveillance. They caught both suspects at a home in the area.
Police said they found two handguns there. One matched the caliber from the shooting.
Both suspects were arrested on felony warrants that are unrelated.
“The 21-year-old male taken into custody allegedly committed a robbery in the city of Greensburg,” Dunlevy said.
The 17-year-old was already on probation when police arrested him. He will be charged as an adult for an armed robbery that happened in Duquesne two weeks ago.
As for last night’s shooting, no charges have been filed yet. Police are still piecing together evidence.
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