Suspect shot by police in the Hill District dies at the hospital
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Allegheny County Police have confirmed a Pittsburgh Police officer shot and killed a man in the Hill District on Wednesday evening.
The medical examiner identified the victim as 33-year-old Maurice Jones, who KDKA-TV learned was armed at the time of the shooting.
"The man was armed and pointed a gun at security guards," said Christopher Kearns, Allegheny County Police Department Superintendent. "The guard then notified 911, [and] officers from zone 2 began a search of the area."
Kearns said it all started at Oak Hill Apartments in Pittsburgh's Terrace Village just after 5 p.m. Police said the security guard saw a man with a gun who pointed it at him in the stairwell.
"The security guard was just making his routine rounds," Kearns added.
The suspect then took off and 911 was called a short time later. Officers then encountered the man on Bentley Street and Devilliers Street. At one point, at least a dozen Pittsburgh police officers were chasing him.
Then, officers saw him behind a dumpster at the Family Dollar store near the Zone 2 police station in the Hill District. Police then said the suspect came out with the gum.
"While behind the dumpster, numerous officers gave him commands to drop the weapon to come out and surrender peacefully," Kearns described. "The man did not listen to those commands. He came out from behind the dumpster with the weapon and advanced on officers. One officer fired and the man was injured. Officers began to render aid and was transported to Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced dead."
Kearns said that the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office will identify the suspect.
Tonight, the officer who shot the suspect is on leave, which is in line with protocol for Pittsburgh Police.
