A police officer was shot Friday night following a suspect pursuit that started in Pitcairn and ended with a crash in Allegheny Township.
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said the officer was transported to a Pittsburgh hospital and is “expected to be OK.”
The police pursuit began in Pitcairn, went though Monroeville onto Route 22, then to Route 66 and finally onto Route 356 near the roundabout by the intersection of Hyde Park Road in Allegheny Township, where the officer was shot, Ziccarelli said.
She could not confirm the department or the identity of the officer, but WTAE reported that the officer works for Monroeville. They reported that the officer was shot in the arm and the leg.
The scene near the roundabout has been “contained,” Ziccarelli said, and there was no threat to the public.
Ziccarelli said several people were being interviewed, but did not confirm reports that as many as three suspects had been detained.
Ziccarelli said the Westmoreland County Detective Bureau is assuming the investigation, but it is a “cooperative effort” between state police, Allegheny Township police, surrounding local municipalities and responding agencies in Allegheny County.
At about 11 p.m. Friday, she said the scene remained an “active and ongoing investigation.”
Police tape surrounded a Pitcairn police car at the scene, and there was at least one wrecked vehicle there too.
Huge police presence at Hyde Park Rd. and Melwood Rd in Allegheny Township. We know an officer was hurt and flown to the hospital. We have confirmed this involved a police chase. Working to get more information for you. @WTAE pic.twitter.com/Qcx0wguatd
— Mike Valente (@ValenteWTAE) November 11, 2023
Justin Elkin of Vandergrift was leaving Meethead’s Pub and Eatery on La Belle Vue Road around 7:45 Friday night when he and his two daughters drove toward Hyde Park.
When they neared the new roundabout on Route 356 they saw what they described as a very hectic scene.
“I’ve never seen that many police cars — there must have been 30,” said Elkin, 42.
Elkin said a police officer made them turn around and as they left the scene, they saw more police arriving on scene.
“I knew something bad was going on,” Elkin said.
Megan Swift and Joyce Hanz are Tribune-Review staff writers. Contact Megan at 724-850-1204, mswift@triblive.com or via Twitter @mgswift7. Reach Joyce at jhanz@triblive.com.
