Multiple people injured in mass shooting in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood

PITTSBURGH, PA – A late-night gathering at a popular East Liberty park turned into a scene of chaos and bloodshed Sunday when gunfire erupted, leaving at least five people with gunshot wounds and nearly a dozen others injured. Two of the victims are in critical condition, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety officials.

The shooting occurred around 11:45 p.m. at Garland Park, also known as the East Liberty basketball courts, located at the intersection of North Saint Clair and Broad streets. Police were initially alerted to the scene by the city’s ShotSpotter system, which detected 14 rounds fired in the area.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a chaotic scene with multiple victims. Emergency medical services transported three individuals to area hospitals, two of whom were listed in critical condition. A third victim sustained a graze wound and was in stable condition.

Shortly after, two more victims with gunshot wounds arrived at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh by private vehicle. They are also reported to be in stable condition. In addition to those shot, approximately ten other individuals were treated at the scene for minor injuries, including scrapes and falls sustained during the panic that ensued.

The Pittsburgh Police Violent Crime Unit has taken over the investigation. Authorities have processed the scene for evidence, recovering shell casings and reviewing available video footage. As of Monday morning, no arrests have been made, and police have not released any information about potential suspects or a motive for the shooting.

The identities and ages of the victims have not yet been made public, pending notification of their families.

A man who was in the park at the time of the shooting, and who asked to remain anonymous for his safety, described a frantic scene. “We were just hanging out, listening to music, and then all of a sudden it was just ‘pop, pop, pop,'” he said. “Everyone started running. It was terrifying.”

Another resident who lives near the park said she was getting ready for bed when she heard the gunshots. “It’s just heartbreaking,” said the woman, who identified herself only as ‘Brenda.’ “This is a place where kids play. Now, it’s a crime scene.”

While there has been no official statement from Mayor Ed Gainey’s office regarding this specific incident, the shooting comes amid ongoing concerns about gun violence in the city. Just last month, another shooting occurred in the same vicinity, and records show a history of gun-related incidents at Garland Park.

Community leaders have expressed their shock and sadness. “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families,” said a representative from a local community group. “We are a resilient community, but these senseless acts of violence must stop. We need to come together to find solutions.”

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Pittsburgh Police Violent Crime Unit. The investigation is ongoing.