Man shot outside UPMC McKeesport Hospital, police investigating
Allegheny County Police are investigating after a man was shot outside UPMC McKeesport Hospital early Tuesday morning.
Police say the shooting happened outside the hospital's emergency department in a parking lot along 5th Avenue just after 3:15 a.m. on Tuesday.
According to police, officers who arrived at the scene found the man shot. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Police say the early investigation shows that the man who was shot was trying to force his way into a vehicle when the shooting happened.
Police later said that detectives have learned that a UPMC Police officer fired multiple shots during the incident.
"At this time, it does not appear anyone was struck by the officer's gunfire, but the incident remains under investigation," police said.
The individual responsible for the shooting was taken into custody, a spokesperson for UPMC said. The emergency room has reopened to patients, a UPMC spokesperson said.
"Magee-Womens Specialty Services at UPMC McKeesport, located inside of the hospital, sustained some damage following the incident and will be closed to patients today," the spokesperson said. "Patients are being contacted by the office to reschedule."
Witness describes hearing the gunfire
Joy Furby, an Uber driver who had just arrived outside the deli market on Versailles Avenue by Evans to pick up her passenger, heard about 10 gunshots around 3:15 a.m.
"It was like, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, and then there was just silence. There was just nothing," Furby said.
After the shooting, law enforcement swarmed the area.
"As soon as he sat in the car, we turned down Evans, and the police were already there," Furby said.
"Once I realized what happened, then hindsight being 20/20, you know, you think to yourself, like, wow, that could have been me. I was right here. It's just, I don't know, senseless crime," Furby added.
As for Furby, she hopes the violence slows down.
"It was pretty scary, pretty scary for 3:30 in the morning in front of the emergency room," Furby said.
It's unclear whether charges will be filed against anyone involved in the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call the county police tip line 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
