Gunfire in downtown Pittsburgh hits Passport Academy Charter School

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — No one was injured after shots were fired in downtown Pittsburgh, hitting Passport Academy Charter School.

Police confirmed there was damage to at least one building in the 900 block of Penn Avenue after shots were fired Tuesday afternoon. No one was injured. 

Two people were detained for questioning, Pittsburgh Police Zone 2 Commander Matthew Lackner said, but police didn't have any details about the circumstances of the shooting.

A bullet hole could be seen in the doorway of Passport Academy charter school. Passport Academy, CAPA and Urban Pathways were placed on lockdowns that have since been lifted.  

"A lot of the teachers and staff I saw were really being protective of kids, taking care of kids before themselves," said Ben Gilpatrick, one of the owners of Sienna Mercato on Penn Avenue.

Lackner said police are processing the scene and looking for evidence. It's unclear what led to the gunfire or where it started. 

"We believe the shots came from pedestrians, people who were walking," Lackner said. "We have no evidence that those shots came from a vehicle."

He said police believe there's no danger to the public. 

A daycare is across the street from the charter school. One mom who rushed to pick up her child called it "sickening." 

"It's sad, it makes me sad," said Cherie Green. "Other parents, some didn't know, but it's scary. It's a little too close to home." 

"You are scared for yourself, you are scared for your community, and it makes you wonder what is going to happen next," Jason Rogers said.