Fatal shooting stuns Indiana County community as police search for suspects

Tears welled up in Lillian Clemons’ eyes as she stopped her vehicle in front of the Chevy Chase Community Center.

With a cup of coffee in her hand, she took in the yellow police tape surrounding the building and recounted how much the residents rely on the center, which regularly provides meals to the needy. But she, like others in the White Township neighborhood, were mad Sunday morning that gun violence infiltrated their community.

A man was fatally shot and at least eight others wounded during a private party at the center that sent more than 150 people, including some who are students at nearby Indiana University of Pennsylvania, fleeing into the neighborhood, a few leaving shoes behind as they fled the gunfire. For residents, it was a terrifying and chaotic night.

“I’m about to cry. It’s hurtful because everybody struggles to keep this (center),” Clemons said. “I was quite shocked to even hear that there was a party down here.”

Lucinda Stiller agreed.

“They make our community like it’s a bad place to come to,” she said. “Why are they having private parties and bringing it into our community?”

No arrests had been made as of Sunday evening. State police Lt. Col. George Bivens said troopers were working on a number of leads in an effort to identify those responsible.

Troopers were first called around midnight to the North Fifth Avenue center for a noise complaint at a private party, he said.

“As a precaution, the PSP mounted unit was asked to move to that area and monitor the situation, as there was the potential issue of a large group of people to be managed at this party,” Bivens said.

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But as those troopers on horseback arrived, they heard dozens of rounds being fired. They tended to the wounded outside and secured the scene inside the building while locating more victims, he said.

A 22-year-old Pittsburgh man died at the scene. His identity had not been released. An 18-year-old man from Chicago was in critical condition. Of the seven others, two had been released from hospitals as of Sunday afternoon.

“They exited that building in any way possible,” Bivens said, “… People dove through windows, people ran through doors, ran through porch railings trying to get away from that scene. There was chaos, and there were people who ran through the neighborhood.”

Bivens believes there was more than one shooter, and authorities pleaded with the public for help. A combined reward of up to $15,000 is being offered by Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. State police are working with local and federal investigators.

“We know that there were many people at this event,” said District Attorney Robert Manzi Jr. “Even if you believe information you have is not relevant, we are asking that you contact the state police and let them know what you know. The information you have may be helpful in this investigation.”

Troopers have collected thousands of pieces of evidence, and anyone who left a cellphone or other belonging behind is asked to contact state police at 724-357-1960. Anyone who lives or has a business nearby is asked to look at surveillance or doorbell cameras.

The party was not associated with the university, which is about 2 miles from the scene. Spokeswoman Michelle Fryling said at least two students were injured. Three students from Waynesburg University were hurt, according to a spokeswoman.

The center is closed until further notice, according to a message posted on its Facebook page by executive director Brandi Ports. It was built in 1971 and renovated in 2000 after being established by a group of citizens who formed the Chevy Chase Community Action Council, according to its website.

Neither Ports nor any other staff or board member returned numerous messages left by email, phone or social media.

Manzi, who is a board member of the center, said it has served about 65,000 meals and provides space for people in the community to gather and socialize. It is rented out regularly for events, such as birthday parties or family reunions.

“It has served as a place to help members of our community for many decades,” he said.

In the hours after the sun rose Sunday, residents walked from their homes down to the center, just outside Indiana Borough, decrying the violence and impact the center’s closure will have on those who rely on it. Stiller and Clemons both were concerned about that impact — Clemons said she is a former director of the center and Stiller said she previously cleaned it.

“This was a service for the community,” Clemons said. “That’s what we need it for, for the people.”

Residents reported seeing numerous cars parked throughout the community Saturday night and loud noise coming from the party. Robert Miller said he and his wife were heading to bed.

“Then, all of a sudden, I heard about 20 gunshots,” he said. “There was people lying on the edge of the sidewalk out there. It’s terrifying.”

Miller’s wife, Ellen Ober, said she’s scared living in the neighborhood and neither of them were able to get to sleep.

“There were people everywhere crying and screaming,” she said.

Trooper Cliff Greenfield provided the following information about the remaining seven people who were injured: Four are men, ages 18, 19, 20 and 22; two are 19-year-old women; and one is a 23-year-old woman. Their hometowns were unconfirmed by police but all are from Pennsylvania, except for the 18-year-old man, who is from Florida.

It’s unusual that a party at the center would go that late into the night, Greenfield said.

“The community center is sort of the staple of the community there,” he said. “It’s a very busy place.”

A handwritten sign posted on the center’s back door said “10K Ent” and provided a handle for smartphone payment application Cash App. Event listings associated with 10K Entertainment indicated the party, billed as an IUP homecoming after-party, would have free shots at the door and security.

Social media posts on an Instagram handle associated with the event and 10K Entertainment showed videos from a previous party held during what is known as IUPatty’s — a party weekend centered on St. Patrick’s Day. Those videos were taken down Sunday.

No other information about 10K Entertainment could be located. Representatives did not respond to messages sent via email or social media.

State police said they had extra troopers working patrols and enforcement details for homecoming weekend. Some of the wounded were taken to Indiana Regional Medical Center, UPMC Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh and Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. Bivens said he doesn’t believe the public is in danger.

“We believe this was an incident that was really isolated to the attendees at that party,” he said. “Certainly, we believe the individuals that were involved in this were dangerous and they engaged in a gunfight in a building like that. But we do not believe this was an act of violence directed at the community at large.”

State Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) released a statement Sunday in which he said he is “saddened, disturbed and, frankly, angry such senseless violence has occurred in our community.”

“I have been in communication with Governor Shapiro this morning, and I am confident the perpetrator(s) will be brought to justice swiftly.”

I was briefed overnight on the shooting in Indiana County.

As @PAStatePolice investigate, Lori and I are praying for the victims of this tragedy. We ask anyone with information to reach out to the State Police.

Our hearts are with the White Township community. https://t.co/Lfbo1mAgnz

— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) October 8, 2023

Residents hope for the same, but said the shooting never should have happened.

“They should get a policy: Don’t rent on the crazy holidays,” Clemons said. “This was homecoming weekend, not the time I would start letting party rentals.”

Another resident of the neighborhood, Misty Castro, said Chevy Chase is a tightknit community.

“It’s ridiculous when things like this happen,” she said. “That’s just a shame. Fortunately, my kid is out of town. Otherwise, she probably would have been there.”