Man To Undergo Mental Evaluation, Face Charges After Shooting Out Transformers
WEST MIFFLIN (KDKA) -- A West Mifflin man was taken into custody late Friday after police say he fired several rounds outside of his home, hitting transformers, prompting evacuations and sending the bomb squad to the scene.
A neighbor, Jill Krivanek, said he fired several rounds into the air, and then fired twice, hitting transformers that were on utility poles along the 500-block of Nordeen Drive.
She said she heard at least seven shots
The call to 911 came in just after 3 p.m. A man, wearing a camouflage jacket, was reportedly outside shooting a rifle.
Another neighbor, Janet Vojtash, said she had heard the 63-year-old man, who lived alone and kept to himself, had issues with the cable TV company.
She said he wanted the cable shut off, and when the company refused, "he went on a rampage."
West Mifflin Police Sgt. Michael Hasson said the suspect was disarmed without incident.
"Two of the transformers had been shot out from this individual when they arrived on scene," said Sgt. Hasson. "They disarmed the individual and took him into custody without incident."
Sgt. Hasson would not immediately disclose a motive, but he said the man would undergo a psychiatric examination, and then he would face criminal charges.
Police also said kerosene was poured around inside the home, and they found ropes on several doors, that's why the Allegheny County Bomb Squad was called in.
Several homes were evacuated and other neighbors were advised to stay inside.
"There was kerosene spread throughout the house that you could smell, and some doors had ropes on them, and we didn't know if they were traps, so we wanted to make sure the scene was safe before we let the neighbors back in," said Sgt. Hasson.
No bombs or other explosive devises were in the house.
The man is now being treated at Jefferson Regional Hospital.
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