Police: 3 Students Shot Near Brashear High School
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Several people have been taken in for questioning in connection with a shooting that left three students injured near Brashear High School Wednesday afternoon.
According to police, the shooting happened between Crane and Lowenhill Avenues around 3 p.m., just moments after classes let out for the day.
The victims - two 11th graders and one ninth grader - were reportedly walking to a car that was parked on Crane Avenue, about a block away, when the shooting started.
According to school officials, a shooter came out of the woods near the school, shot three students and then retreated into the woods.
KDKA's Christine D'Antonio Reports:
Click here for more photos from the scene.
Police say a fourth student was with the teens who were shot, but was not injured.
The three male victims suffered varying injuries:
- One was shot in the leg and foot
- One was shot in the neck and shoulder
- One was grazed in the head
The student who was grazed by a bullet in the head, made his way back to the school and was pulled inside by an administrator.
None of the victims' injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
The victim taken to Allegheny General Hospital was grazed in the leg and foot. He's listed in stable condition.
He has not yet been identified, but is the youngest victim, a freshman at the high school.
"I can tell you that he's being taken care of very well and we expect him to make a full recovery," said Dr. Alisa Cross, of Allegheny General Hospital.
An aunt of one of the victims, 17-year-old Eugene Minor, said her nephew is stable at UPMC Mercy Hospital. He plays basketball at the high school.
"Right now the only thing we know is he's been shot, he's stable, he's been shot in the neck," Terri Minor said.
He underwent some minor surgery for his wounds, family members say.
"He got shot in the neck, so I guess it took some flesh off," said Dajaun Law, Minor's brother.
The second victim taken to Mercy Hospital has been identified as 17-year-old Andrew Umphrey. He is a football player for the high school.
Family members say the three victims are all good friends.
"They grew up together played football and all that together," said Law.
School police said today's incident may have been related to an incident at the school in October, which prompted heightened security for about a week.
According to police, five men and one woman were taken in for questioning by police. None of those individuals have been arrested at this time.
According to sources, 16-year-old A.J. Willet was brought in for questioning after being found at the home next to his parents' home on Rockland Avenue in Beechview Wednesday afternoon.
He was charged later that evening.
Initially, police were searching the nearby woods for multiple gunmen.
Nearby South Hills Middle School was also placed on lockdown, but that has since been lifted.
Parents of the students gathered at Fallowfield and Crane Avenues during the lockdown to wait for word on their children.
Mayor-Elect Bill Peduto's office released a statement Wednesday afternoon:
"Mayor-Elect Peduto has been in close contact from the National League of Cities Conference in Seattle with Public Safety Director Huss regarding the shootings this afternoon at Brashear High School. Consistent with requests by city police, we advise all residents in the area to lock their homes and stay indoors, while the police continue to search for the perpetrators."
Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak also released a statement Wednesday afternoon.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the students, families, and neighbors of Brashear High School as well as the school and safety officials keeping our neighborhoods secure. I have been in direct contact with our public safety officials on an as-needed basis. There are multiple local agencies involved in this complex operation and our office is encouraging them to focus their time entirely on the investigation. I will be sure to keep our community informed as we learn of any additional significant developments in this tragic situation."
The school is located in Beechview and is part of the Pittsburgh Public Schools District. There are about 1,500 students in the school, making it the largest high school in the district.
Student Describes Shooting Scene:
According to Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Linda Lane, both Brashear High School and South Hills Middle School will be open on Thursday.
"Both Brashear and South Hills will be open tomorrow but will be secured on modified lockdown for the remainder of the week. A modified lockdown means that only students, staff, and visitors with a scheduled appointment will be able to enter the school building. We are taking this matter seriously and focusing on the safety of our students. Our thoughts go out to the families of the victims," Lane said in a statement.
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said students should feel safe when they go back to school tomorrow.
"When you hear school shooting, unfortunately it raises a lot of horrifying moments for a lot of people and I know that was my first reaction," Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said. "I think you can never overreact to something like that. I think the public safety personnel did a wonderful job here this afternoon and fortunately, there were no serious injuries."
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