Monroeville Mall shooting suspects identified, DA says

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said last week that police have identified suspects in last month’s shooting at the Monroeville Mall and arrests are imminent.

Zappala said investigators used surveillance cameras and license plate recognition software to identify the suspects in the April 12 shooting at a first-floor entrance to a Macy’s Backstage store. No one was injured, but the shooting prompted authorities to evacuate people from the mall.

Monroeville police have described the incident as a “targeted event” involving an altercation between two groups of men.

“We know who’s responsible,” Zappala said, addressing reporters during an event for seniors hosted by his office. “We know where they’re from and we understand why they did what they did. We’ll take care of that shortly.”

Police previously said two groups of men became involved in a fight near the center of the mall and moved toward the Macy’s store. One of the groups was outside the store and another was inside when at least one person outside the store fired about 10 rounds into the mall.

Zappala said police are attempting to sort out the actions of individuals in both groups before making arrests. To do that, he said, investigators must piece together video footage from multiple surveillance cameras around the mall.

Monroeville Police Chief Doug Cole declined to comment on Zappala’s announcement.

“I can neither confirm nor deny that we have suspects,” he said, reaffirming previous reporting that his police department is close to making multiple arrests. He did not have a timeline.