An early morning altercation outside UPMC McKeesport Hospital resulted in a man being shot and left in critical condition. The incident took place near the hospital’s emergency room parking lot entrance. According to WPXI, Allegheny County police reported that the violent exchange occurred after a man attempted to force entry into a car belonging to another individual, who was at the hospital to pick up a family member.
The sequence of events unfolded when the assailant tried to enter the passenger side of the car, and, upon finding resistance, proceeded to kick in the door. The driver then discharged a firearm multiple times, injuring the man, Allegheny County police said. It remains unclear why the man was trying to get into the vehicle. In the chaos of the confrontation, a UPMC Police officer responded by firing multiple shots, although it is believed that none of these shots struck anyone, WTAE reported.
The police confirmed that both the driver and the assailant did not know each other before the incident. In the aftermath, investigators sifted through the scene, marked by a flurry of evidence indicators and the cordoning off of the white car involved. UPMC released a statement to WPXI about the ordeal, stating, “An incident involving two individuals occurred outside the Emergency Department at UPMC McKeesport. The incident escalated with shots fired and one of the individuals involved struck. UPMC Police in the ED responded swiftly to help contain the incident to the parking lot, aiding local police in apprehending the individual responsible. No one else was injured.”
Despite the morning’s violence, authorities have indicated that all individuals involved are accounted for, and there is presently no danger to the public. The emergency room resumed its operations shortly after being closed due to the incident, however, Magee-Womens Specialty Services inside the hospital incurred some damage and was closed for the day to patients.
