Shots fired overnight in Downtown Pittsburgh, police investigating
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Pittsburgh police are investigating after shots fired Downtown early Sunday morning sent bystanders running for cover. KDKA exclusively obtained surveillance video from a local business.
It was just after 1 a.m. when police said officers heard multiple shots fired near Sixth Avenue and Smithfield Street. People quickly ducked and hid behind cars, as seen on surveillance video obtained by KDKA from a local business.
Matt Appleton was walking home from a bar with some friends, when he heard the pops, and said he wasn't surprised.
"Becoming too familiar of a sound down here," Appleton said.
Thankfully he nor anyone else was hurt, but police said bullets caused damage to property throughout the area. From a parked vehicle to a traffic control box, even a police squad car.
Dispatchers also reported damage to the Omni William Penn, and KDKA witnessed a window on the hotel boarded up.
"I have a call at the Omni William Penn for a stray bullet that broke a window, and possibly lodged in the ceiling," a dispatcher said.
The target is unknown, leaving Appleton and others living downtown, like Taylor Kirschner, on edge.
As Kirschner was talking to KDKA, an ambulance came down the street.
"I definitely don't really feel as safe as I used to in Pittsburgh that's for sure," Kirschner said.
Kirschner said every other day she hears shots and sirens, and feels it's just getting worse.
"I don't really think they really care where they're shooting and what they're hitting," Kirschner said.
"They think they can have a good time, and just make some noise, but they don't understand what the consequences are," Appleton said.
Now they're considering their options and whether staying downtown is worth the risk.
"Nothing is being done, so you know at some point, it is going to become too unsafe down here and it's going to have to make me think, 'where do I live?'" Appleton said.
KDKA reached out to Omni Hotels for comment but has not heard back at this time.
If you have any information about what happened call Pittsburgh Police at 412-255-2827.
