Police: Pittsburgh officer shoots, kills armed man during search for missing woman
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Allegheny County police released new details after a 43-year-old man was shot and killed by a Pittsburgh police officer on Thursday night.
Just before 11 p.m., Pittsburgh police reported a police shooting happened along Rydal Street in the city's Westwood neighborhood and that a man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Allegheny County police, who are investigating per procedure, said Pittsburgh police were called out earlier in the evening to look for a missing woman from Robinson Township.
Around 9:30 p.m., police said her vehicle was found along Rydal Street. When trying to make contact at the front door of a home, police said a 43-year-old man armed with a revolver confronted officers.
Police said one of the Pittsburgh officers then fired his weapon, shooting and killing the man. Police said officers and first responders entered the home to secure the scene and render aid to the man. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The medical examiner identified him as Brian Fisher.
Officers said they found the missing woman inside the home.
"This is not a pleasant moment for anybody. It's a tragic situation," Pittsburgh Citizen Police Review Board Executive Director Beth Pittinger said.
Neighbors told KDKA Fisher and the woman were in a relationship, and she had been in and out of the house for about several weeks.
"The police are good about things, but I don't know why this got out of hand so fast," neighbor Rick Conners said.
Conners said Fisher lived there for about 15 years and never caused any issues. Other neighbors off camera painted a different picture, saying he had problems with some people and could be threatening at times.
"I'll really miss the guy because he was a good friend of mine," Conners said. "[Fisher's] probably 140 pounds. Why couldn't they have grabbed him, or tased him, or shot him in the arm or something?"
Police continue to investigate. The hope is there is body camera footage from the incident that can be used.
"These incidents are never cut and dry. There's always a detail there. The facts are what matter, not what we think could have or should have happened," Pittinger said.
She said her team can't begin to look at the situation before everything wraps up with police and the DA. Even then, Pennsylvania law makes it a challenge to see body camera footage. She said it's secretive and not community-friendly.
"It doesn't necessarily have to infringe upon or obstruct an investigation. It's just telling the public we're transparent," Pittinger said.
To this point, police have not identified the officers involved or given their status with the department.
After county police wrap up their investigation, their findings will go over to the DA's office, which will decide if criminal charges should be filed or not.
Mayor Gainey had this statement in regard to the investigation:
"Pittsburgh, please join me in praying for the residents whose lives have been impacted by the shooting last night involving one of the members of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The City of Pittsburgh is cooperating fully in the independent investigation that is being led by the Allegheny County Police and we will also be conducting an internal critical incident review."
Stay with KDKA-TV and KDKA.com for updates to this developing story as they become available.
