Shots fired at New Kensington police, no injuries

Police from New Kensington and surrounding communities responded to the scene of a shooting Tuesday in which someone fired shots at a police officer.

Authorities confirmed there were no injuries in the incident but a large area was cordoned off by police and traffic was diverted from the area.

Westmoreland County Det. John Clark said shots were fired at a police vehicle used in undercover operations but said no further information would be immediately available since the incident still is under investigation.

Emergency dispatchers received reports of an incident escalating into shots fired at officers near Locust Street and Fifth Avenue shortly after 7 p.m., a Westmoreland County 911 shift commander said.

Police blocked off portions of the surrounding area near Westmoreland County Community College’s New Kensington campus. The area remained an active scene with a large police presence past 11 p.m.

The community college campus on Fifth Avenue was locked down and students attending night classes were escorted to their vehicles and allowed to leave the area, according to alerts sent out by the college.

Clark said more information about the incident may be available Wednesday.