Police presence request for Brighton Heights funeral went unfulfilled, Pittsburgh police said
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A police presence was requested at the Destiny of Faith Church on the day of John Hornezes' funeral, but that request went unfulfilled, Pittsburgh police said.
Six people and a horse were injured when the gunfire erupted outside of Hornezes' funeral. Two teenagers are facing charges.
Hornezes was shot and killed in a shooting on Oct. 15 on Cedar Avenue on the North Side. Two innocent bystanders waiting for a bus were also killed in the gunfire that started as a fight.
Police were requested to be at the funeral because of fears of retaliation, but police said that request was not fulfilled. In a statement, police called it "totally unacceptable."
Police said they began conducting an internal investigation into whether police protection was provided during the service on Oct. 28. They said command staff interviewed police personnel who were on duty that day.
Through those interviews, police said they learned the presence of officers had been requested in Brighton Heights for the service but was not fulfilled.
"We regret that PBP did not provide the presence asked of us on a difficult day," Acting Chief of Police Thomas Stangrecki said. "As a matter of policy, we are conducting an internal investigation into what went wrong in this situation. As not only police officers, but members of this community, we consider this totally unacceptable. As previously stated in other briefings, it is our hope that the inactions of a few do not reflect negatively on the actions of many who worked diligently to respond, investigate and bring those responsible to justice in the aftermath of this tragedy."
Police are not releasing any further information at this time. However, they said that disciplinary action will be handled internally.
Mayor Ed Gainey said in a statement he can't speak to any potential disciplinary actions but those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.
"The community plays a vital role in our work to build peace in our city, and if we want to be successful then we must have strong police-community relationships," Gainey said. "Part of being a strong community partner, and a good neighbor, means that we show up when we say we are going to do so. We can't expect to win the trust of our communities if we don't respond to the call."
Councilman Bobby Wilson, who represents the Brighton Heights neighborhood, said the city needs to take retaliatory gun violence seriously.
Wilson wants to make sure this doesn't happen again. He plans to take legislation to City Council.
"We can create an upfront policy that's upfront to support families and friends that have someone who was struck down by gun violence," Wilson said.
The councilman said his bill would set up a protocol for situations like Friday. It would make sure the families and loved ones are protected from any retaliation.
"I feel for them. I want to make this right somehow. That's why I'm sitting on the City Council side to make sure that doesn't happen again," Wilson said on Zoom.
RELATED STORIES:
- North Side shooting: 5 people shot outside church funeral service in Pittsburgh
- 2 'people of interest' in Brighton Heights funeral shooting detained on McKees Rocks Bridge
- North Side church shooting leaves Mayor Ed Gainey emotional: 'They shot up the sanctuary today'
- Sources: Brighton Heights funeral shooting possible result of escalating conflict between rival groups
- Two teenagers charged in Brighton Heights funeral shooting
- North Side funeral shooting victims say they're too afraid to talk on camera
