Police make arrest in early morning McKees Rocks shooting
MCKEES ROCKS (KDKA) - A man is in critical condition in the hospital after he was shot in McKees Rocks early this morning.
Police announced the arrest of 49-year-old Edmund Fields as the gunman.
He was taken into custody this morning and is being housed at the Allegheny County Jail awaiting arraignment.
Fields will face charges of criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault, false identification to law enforcement, and firearms violations.
The shooting happened as community groups are planning to meet to address violence.
A neighbor in McKees Rocks tells us the victim was right in her backyard. She lives in the 800 block of O'Donovan Street right next to the McKees Rocks Bridge.
Police said the victim was taken to the hospital in critical but stable condition.
The neighbor said she did not recognize the man.
The shooting happened right as several groups are meeting in Duquesne to address youth violence.
"We don't look at people based on their backgrounds, their skin color, their ethnicity, any of that," said Pastor Rick Morgan of Source Church. "That's not what god looked at, god looks at the heart and if we can begin to look at others in the same way, then I believe we will have a change of heart within the culture and within the community."
While the McKees Rocks shooting did not involve the youth, violence is still unwelcome in the community. Non-profits, school districts, churches, and politicians will meet on Monday to address youth violence after the Kennywood shooting.
RELATED STORIES:
- 15-year-old arrested in connection to Kennywood shooting
- 3 shot, including 2 teens, at Kennywood in West Mifflin
- Parkgoers concerned over Kennywood's security protocols following shooting
- Gun recovered at Kennywood Park was stolen from vehicle in Ohio, police said
- Family of man shot at Kennywood shares story: 'Terrified. Terrified. So terrified.'
- Kennywood increasing security and perimeter enhancements following triple shooting during Phantom Fall Fest
- Kennywood reopens Friday after shooting last weekend
Three people were injured and the alleged suspect is a teenager. Police have said the shooting stemmed from an ongoing feud with teenagers.
"I truly believe it's the church that can make a difference in the neighborhoods and in the communities," said Pastor Morgan. "It's the way we reach out to the communities, the way we serve the communities, and that's really the whole purpose of the church is to reach to the community and serve the community."
That meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday. The community says enough is enough and it's time for it to end.
"It begins at home, it begins in the community, it begins with parents, it takes everybody working together in the community to help the community and change the community," Pastor Morgan said.
