Police investigating after shots fired near WCCC in New Kensington
New Kensington police were investigating a report of shots fired Monday afternoon near the entrance to the Westmoreland County Community College campus in New Kensington.
New Kensington police Detective Sgt. Matt Saxman said no one appeared to be hit or injured in the incident that happened about 4:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of Fifth Avenue.
About 10 shots in total were fired, Saxman said. Several evidence markers were placed on Fifth Avenue as police were investigating the scene on Fifth Avenue at 12th Street, at the main entrance to the college.
Saxman said police were working to determine if the shooting was captured on any nearby surveillance cameras.
In a statement, Westmoreland Community College President Tuesday Stanley said the New Kensington Education Center was placed on an immediate lockdown for the safety of students and staff. The lockdown was lifted and the center will be open at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
It was not immediately clear if anything had been hit by bullets. Police were seen closely examining a shed at Valley Royal Court, a housing complex across Fifth Avenue from the college.
Two Valley Royal Court residents said they had heard numerous shots fired over the weekend and were speculating that Monday’s incident might be related.
Fifth Avenue was closed Monday evening between 11th Street and Hileman Drive as police from multiple departments investigated and controlled the scene.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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