PITTSBURGH — A man was shot in Pittsburgh’s Strip District early Friday morning.
Pittsburgh police said crews were called to 1100 Penn Avenue just at 2:15 a.m. for reports of a man inside a building who was brandishing a gun and threatening other people. The call was later updated to say a man had been shot.
Our crew at the scene saw investigators in the area of Club Pittsburgh, a 24-hour gym and club that caters to the city’s queer community.
A man had been shot multiple times inside the building in the chest and torso, police said. He was transported by Pittsburgh EMS to a local hospital in critical condition and taken immediately into surgery.
Another man, believed to be the suspect, was taken into custody at the scene. He was experiencing some type of medical distress and was transported to an area hospital for further evaluation before he was released to the Allegheny County Jail, police said.
At 10:00 p.m. on Friday, Pittsburgh Police announced William Samuels, 55, is now facing charges related to this shooting.
Court documents said Samuels was knocking on multiple doors in the club and trying to get into them before the shooting. He allegedly told officers during an interview he believed people in the club were giving his girlfriend drugs and thought she heard her ask him for help. Samuels said he rented a room at the club for himself and his girlfriend to get out of the weather because they were both homeless.
At this time, there is not believed to be any further risk to the public, police said.
Club Pittsburgh released the following statement Friday afternoon:
The management and team at Club Pittsburgh are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred early this morning. Our foremost priority has always been to provide a safe and welcoming environment for our community, and it is heartbreaking that an act of gun violence has disrupted this space. Law enforcement has informed us that the suspect may have been experiencing “medical distress.”
We are actively cooperating with the investigation to better understand what transpired. In the meantime, we are committed to thoroughly reevaluating our safety, security, and admission protocols to ensure the well-being of everyone who enters our doors.
Our thoughts are with the victim as they recover, and we extend our sincerest gratitude to our patrons and the greater community for their continued support and understanding as we navigate this challenging time together. Please know we are dedicated to reinforcing Club Pittsburgh as a space where all feel safe and valued.
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