Police: Kennywood shooting connected to feud among the teenagers
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. (KDKA) - A 15-year-old boy was charged in connection with a shooting at Kennywood's Phantom Fall Fest in September, police announced Thursday.
Allegheny County and West Mifflin police said evidence led them to the arrest of 15-year-old Darryl Pirl. Investigators said Pirl was grazed in the thigh during the shooting and was initially seen by first responders before he ran away.
Police said when he later showed up at the McKeesport Hospital for treatment, there were gunshot holes in his shirt but no wounds to his upper body. That indicated to investigators Pirl had shot a gun from underneath his shirt. Gunpowder residue was also found on those clothes and on his hands.
Pirl is facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and firearms violations. He is being charged as an adult.
Investigators concluded two guns were used because two different shell casings were found at the scene. Police said they're still looking for a second shooter.
Detectives believe a feud between two groups of teens from different parts of the area is what ultimately sparked the gunfire.
"We're not sure what the feud is," said Allegheny County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns. "During the shooting's investigation, continued information that was received by detectives and information we received from individuals that came forward with information that this is an ongoing feud between teenagers from the Homestead area and teenagers from the Duquesne area."
It's still unknown how the guns got into the park but Superintendent Kearns said they were either tossed over the fence or they were carried in by someone who climbed over the fence.
Anyone with information on the second shooter is being asked to call county police.
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