Somber Day For City Of Pittsburgh As Visitation Is Held For Fallen Officer Calvin Hall
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It was a somber day in Oakland as the visitation for fallen Pittsburgh Police Officer Calvin Hall was held at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall.
The outpouring of love and support from the community speaks volumes about the kind of man and officer Calvin Hall was in life.
Throughout the day, officers stood at attention at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland as people went in and out to pay their respects.
The Chief of Pittsburgh Police called Officer Hall "a model officer".
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto was present at the visitation.
One of the mourners was Melvin Skyywalker, a barber in the City of Duquesne.
He came to the viewing to say goodbye to his longtime friend.
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He told KDKA News he had just seen Hall the night before he was shot.
Skyywalker explained: "Hall came in after he got off work [Saturday evening]. I cut his hair, we was talking. I said man, you never been scared, thinking you never going to come home? He said, 'I don't think of nothing like that man.' I said, 'Wow, man.' I don't know what made me ask him that."
Also among the mourners were the parents of Officer Paul Sciullo, who was gunned down with two other Pittsburgh Police officers in 2009 in Stanton Heights.
Inside, family and friends passed by an open casket.
Officer Hall was dressed in his police uniform.
Some of his favorite music played softly in the background, like songs by Stevie Wonder.
Michael Kraus works at Soldiers & Sailors and says he watched as preparations were made.
"We've watched the police set up," he says.
"We just waited for a quiet time to pay our respects. I feel very sad. I want to cry -- it's just very sad."
Sources say at least one officer will remain with Hall overnight until tomorrow's funeral.
Officer Hall was shot while off-duty last week in Homewood.
He spent several days in critical condition at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, but died last Wednesday from his injuries.
Police say Officer Hall was unarmed and off-duty at the time of the shooting.
Someone opened fire and shot him at close range three times in the back, reportedly as he was trying to break up a fight.
Chief Scott Schubert said there's a lot of evidence that shows he was likely "acting under the color of the law" at the time of the shooting.
According to Wendell Hissrich, the Pittsburgh Public Safety Director, "One of the first requests that the Hall family had was that we catch the individual or individuals that murdered Calvin. And, we were able to tell them that we were able to accomplish that."
On Monday, police charged Christian Bey in the fatal shooting. He was charged with criminal homicide.
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A person of interest is being questioned in connection to Hall's death. Late last week, police detained Christian Bey on a parole violation while they interrogate him in relation to the Officer Hall murder.
Bey was questioned Monday afternoon at Pittsburgh Police headquarters; however, investigators are not releasing any additional information on the case.
Christian Bey - person of interest in Officer Hall shooting - questioned at Police HQ. Held on parole violation. Investigators mum on possibility of additional charges. Developments on #KDKA. pic.twitter.com/ESpg7hKlG3
— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) July 22, 2019
Today's visitation is scheduled from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. It is open to the public.
TOMORROW: Due to the funeral procession and proceedings for fallen Pittsburgh Police Officer, Calvin Hall, road and bridge closures will be in place starting at 8:30 a.m. The Pennsylvania State Police and PennDOT advise commuters to avoid these areas. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/IsG6Wx4lFI
— Celina Pompeani (@CelinaPompeani) July 22, 2019
Officer Hall's funeral is set for Tuesday, also at Soldiers & Sailors Hall, starting at 11 a.m. The burial will follow at the Homewood Cemetery.
Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.