Man Wounded In Exchange Of Gunfire With Police In Murrysville
MURRYSVILLE (KDKA) -- A man is in the hospital after police say he exchanged gunfire with officers outside of a gas station in Westmoreland County Wednesday night.
The suspect has been identified as 26-year-old Jesse Callender of Colorado.
According to the Murrysville Police chief, the incident started around 8:15 p.m. at the Marathon Gas Station on Route 22 in Murrysville.
A clerk at the gas station, who wasn't there last night, told KDKA-TV's Heather Abraham that this may have all stemmed from an argument over a lottery ticket and gas.
Watch Heather Abraham's Report:
The police chief says officers were called to the gas station over reports that a man was at the business with a gun. He was reportedly threatening the employees inside after he was unable to pay for his gas.
When police arrived at the scene, Callender was outside near his vehicle, which was parked by a pump. According to police, he turned and fired at least two shots at officers.
"The suspect began running toward the gas station to go back inside, and at that time, our officers fired to stop his movement into the gas station [and] to protect lives," Murrysville Police Chief Tom Seefeld said.
Callender was wounded. He was taken to Forbes Hospital and then flown to Allegheny General Hospital, where he underwent surgery. There's no word on his condition.
No officers were wounded in the incident.
BREAKING: Man wounded outside Marathon gas station in Murrysville after he and police exchange gunfire. pic.twitter.com/uYMG6GGmv6
— Ralph Iannotti (@IannottiRalph) April 21, 2016
Besides the crime scene at the Marathon Gas Station, police taped off the area in front of the adjacent Dick's Diner, because a front window near the entrance to the diner was shattered by gunfire.
No one inside the restaurant was hurt.
Westmoreland County detectives are taking over the investigation.
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