OAKMONT, Pa. — Friends say Greg Scampone was the kind of person who would be the first to cook a meal for a family in need or give back to his community, but now he needs support.
The 34-year-old owner of Fox’s Pizza on Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont was shot six times after police say a man armed with a gun came into his business Sunday afternoon looking for money.
Police say Scampone put up a fight with the robber. Fellow business owners say they’d do the same.
“I would have put up a fight just like he did,” Stefani Garibay tells Channel 11.
Garibay and her fiancé went to school with Scampone and own a local doggy day care just down the road along Allegheny River Boulevard.
Friends who visited Scampone in the hospital today say he’s in good spirits and just wants to know when he can reopen his pizza shop.
“I see him delivering the pizzas,” Garibay adds. “Putting in the hours for himself, his staff, his family.”
Police say they are still searching for the shooter who went into Scampone’s business in a ski mask and red RMU sweatshirt before holding up a gun. Police say he is between 5 feet, 4 inches and 5 feet, 6 inches tall and ran off in the direction of Verona.
“I can only imagine how scared he was,” Garibay continues. “He probably did what I would have done, which is put up a fight. This is our livelihood. This is our life.”
The boulevard in Oakmont is usually bustling on a weekend because of the shops and restaurants that line this stretch. Neighbors say they’re in disbelief.
“This doesn’t happen around here,” Joey Mancusa adds. “It’s shocking.”
Friends are asking people to donate to Scampone’s GoFundMe page, support his business when it’s back open or leave a nice review online.
“It could have been us,” business owners say. “It could have been anybody. As business owners and members of the community — we want you to be okay.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Allegheny County Police at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477). Callers can remain anonymous.
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