2 Men Wounded In Shooting At Monroeville Shopping Plaza
MONROEVILLE (KDKA/AP) – Police are investigating after two people were shot in the parking lot of a shopping plaza in Monroeville Tuesday afternoon.
According to officials at the scene, the shooting happened just before 2 p.m. outside of Sola Salons in the strip mall known as the Plaza by the Mall shopping center, just off of Monroeville Boulevard. A Miracle Ear store and a UPS Store are also located in the plaza.
The two victims were in the same car and drove themselves to the hospital after the shooting.
Police found as many as eight bullet casings and were looking for two vehicles that may have been involved.
"It sounds like all the participants were out on foot, but then did enter vehicles and flee the area in cars," said Lt. Andrew Schurman, of Allegheny County Police. "At this point, we don't know which direction the gunfire was moving. Our crime units are here, putting that all together for us."
Monroeville Police taped off the area outside the salon and the Miracle Ear store shortly after the shooting.
Lt. Schurman said, "The two people that sustained gunshot wounds were together, so I do not think they were shooting at each other. I can't say if they were shooting at their assailants."
Sources identify the wounded men as Anthony Smith and Major Rainey, both from Penn Hills. Both men are familiar to investigators.
Smith was shot in the leg; Rainey was grazed near his eye. They were both treated at UPMC East Hospital and released.
Investigators said the motive for the shooting was still unclear.
As it turns out, Smith was one of three men wounded on Memorial Day when shots rang out during a private pool party at the Olympic Swim & Health Club in Penn Hills. In that incident, Smith was shot in the chest.
Penn Hills Police Chief Howard Burton said police have not made an arrest in that case. Sources tell KDKA that lack of progress in the case is because Smith and the others have not been cooperating in the investigation.
Two storefront windows were shattered by bullets Tuesday afternoon. An employee who was inside the hearing aid store at the time of the shooting said she was terrified.
"I heard multiple gunshots and our window actually shattered," said the woman who did not want to be identified. "My receptionist said that they were shooting, so I immediately called 911. A lot of commotion. She said that there was someone walking down the sidewalk and someone got out of a car and started shooting at him."
She said the bullet that hit the store came dangerously close to the receptionist.
"My receptionist was sitting at her desk, which is right in front of that window, so when the bullet came through, it was literally right next to her, which is absolutely terrifying," the woman said.
Over at the salon, an employee says several customers were inside when the gunfire rang out.
"I was working inside of my salon and I was just working on my guest, and I heard four of five gunshots," said Lisa Rodgers, of Sola Salons. "My son was actually sitting out in the hallway and the first thing I did was grab him, lock us in my studio and call 911. The shooting was outside, but the shots went inside, so the bullets landed right outside my door."
A clerk at The UPS Store said business continued normally but otherwise declined comment.
Authorities said because of the location and time of day, the outcome of the shooting in Monroeville could have been much worse than it was.
"I think it's a fair assessment; that we're very lucky none of the patrons of the stores or businesses were injured," Lt. Schurman said.
The investigation and search for suspects continues. Police were checking surveillance video in the area.
Anyone with information on the shooting is being asked to contact Monroeville Police or Allegheny County Police at 412-473-1300. Callers can remain anonymous.
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