PITTSBURGH — A teenager was shot in Downtown Pittsburgh Wednesday afternoon.
An Allegheny County 911 dispatcher said police were sent to the 400 block of Smithfield Street just after 4 p.m. Public safety officials confirmed the shooting and said it was initially reported by an officer driving in the area who heard a gunshot and immediately apprehended a suspect seen holding a gun.
The victim, a 17-year-old boy who was shot in the abdomen, was shot on the sidewalk across the street from the Burlington then ran around the corner and hid behind a dumpster. Pittsburgh and Port Authority police rendered aid until medics arrived. He’s been taken to a hospital in critical but stable condition.
“All of a sudden, I heard a loud bang. Cops start running, guy starts running the other way,” Brian Pfender said.
He shot video on his cell phone that shows a number of police officers helping the victim.
The shooting suspect, identified as a 21-year-old man, is being questioned at police headquarters.
“We’re just really fortunate that we have our Downtown Public Safety Center right here, close by, and they’re constantly on patrol and were able to take action right away,” said public safety official Cara Cruz.
People we spoke with are upset about the shooting in broad daylight.
“If I get shot, I get shot. What the hell am I going to do? But where’s the security? Where’s the cops?” Patricia Ray said.
“I have a big concern. People have weapons. You never know what’s going to happen down where,” Pfender said.
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