Man dies after shooting in downtown's Cultural District
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A man is dead after a late-night shooting in downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District, Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said.
According to Pittsburgh Police, the shooting occurred just before 11:30 p.m. on Monday near the intersection of Ft. Duquesne Boulevard and Maddox Place.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man lying along Maddock Place, suffering from a gunshot wound to the stomach. The man was taken to the hospital where he later died. Police say the investigation is ongoing.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office identifies the victim as 47-year-old Perry Bagley.
Mayor Ed Gainey's office, Allegheny County leaders, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership are working closely to address safety issues after the deadly shooting.
"Really disheartening to hear something like that because I haven't lived Downtown that long, but I used to work down here, and it was always such a nice area," Colleen Neuendorffer said Tuesday.
Neuendorffer takes her dog outside her apartment building in the Cultural District quite often. She was shocked to learn that a man was shot and killed next to her building along Maddox Place.
"To know there are things literally happening right there while I'm just sleeping in my apartment, that's crazy, really sad," Neuendorffer said.
Safety has been an ongoing concern for people who live and work Downtown.
A few weeks ago, the city blocked off an "open-air drug market" on Fort Duquesne where police responded to fights, gunfire and drug activity. Another concern from residents is the number of people living in tents along the rivers.
"I've noticed it kind of the security of the Downtown has deteriorated over the last several years since the pandemic. ... And it makes you more careful and it makes you think a lot about whether that's some place you want to be going when you don't have to come Downtown," said Jim Myers, who enjoys taking his lunch break Downtown.
"It might hurt tourism and the businesses down here if people don't want to come here, gotta make it safer for them, for sure," Neuendorffer said.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust shared this statement about what they are doing to improve safety:
"We are sorry to hear about this troubling incident. In addition to tremendous investments in security staffing and screening equipment, our budget includes over $1 million devoted to hiring off-duty police during our events and activities. The Cultural Trust, county officials, and Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership are working very closely with the new mayor and city hall on Downtown safety issues in the Cultural District to make our arts and entertainment district the safest of any comparable metropolitan city. This situation is now under investigation by the Pittsburgh Police Department."
The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership told KDKA:
"Creating a welcoming experience for our residents, workers, and visitors is critical to sustaining the growth and vibrancy of Downtown. These recent incidents of violence and ongoing issues related to drug activity underscore the need for a more intentional focus on public safety. While gun-related violence remains relatively low in Pittsburgh, we see any incident of this nature as one too many. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is firmly committed to ensuring that Downtown is a place where visitors, workers, and residents can expect to be safe at all times of day or night, and we will continue to collaborate with our partner organizations and advocate for solutions to meet this goal."
The Office of Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey shared a statement with KDKA that reads:
"This loss of life in our city is a tragedy for the family and all who knew the victim, and our hearts and prayers are with them at this time. We take every gun homicide seriously and to that end we are activating our sentinel incident review team and working to connect impacted family to services they may need during this difficult time. We would also like to thank witnesses who shared what they know with the police - and would encourage anyone who may have information about this shooting to call Major Crimes and share what you know."
The Mayor's office also said:
"Earlier this month, we began to have a stronger law enforcement presence in the Downtown Neighborhood during the high-volume foot traffic of weekday mornings and evenings in coordination with our partners at Pittsburgh Regional Transit, Allegheny County, and Point Park University. While this incident occurred outside of those hours, officers were near the location and were on scene immediately. We are committed to our vision as outlined in our plan for peace on placing policing resources where they are most needed."
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald is in London this week with local airport and business leaders to showcase the value of British Airways flights to and from Pittsburgh and to strengthen business connections and create more jobs in our region.
KDKA-TV asked Fitzgerald how an increase in crimes Downtown could affect new business opportunities in the Steel City.
"It's one thing on a whole checklist of things that companies look at when they are looking to locate," Fitzgerald said. "We want to make sure it's a safe and vibrant place, not only for the folks who work 9-5 in the corporate world and for the vibrant evening culture with the Cultural District."
