Man Accidentally Shoots, Kills Best Friend

PITTSBURGH,None — Police said a Crafton man riding in a car was killed when a firearm held by his best friend in the back seat discharged.

Pittsburgh police said Brian Natali, 29, was in the front passenger seat as his wife was driving along Baldwick Road in East Carnegie.

The shot was fired at 2:15 a.m. Sunday from the back seat, went through the front seat and struck Natali in the back, police said. Natali was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 40 minutes later.

Evan Freshwater said he was there as emergency responders came to Baldwick Road to help the victim.

"There was a lot of commotion, a lot of crying and a lot of panic. But first responders did a great job of calming everybody down quickly," said Freshwater.

Freshwater said he and other neighbors tried helping while they waited for EMS crews to arrive.

"I heard mentions of possible gunfire or a shot that had been fired so I went downstairs to try and gather any medical supplied so we could offer aide," Freshwater said.

Natali was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 40 minutes later.

Joshua Porter, 27, accidentally discharged the firearm, police said. He and other witnesses were questioned and released, and police said no charges have been filed.

Police told Channel 11 News that Natali and Porter had been best friends since childhood.

Neighbors of Natali said they were shocked when they heard the news.

"He was a good kid. My children played with him. I have two boys, and they played with him and were friends when they were little, and they've been here 15 years, so we've known them for a while," said neighbor Mary Pallotti.

The shooting remains under investigation.

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