Two minors were killed and at least eight were injured when 50 shots were fired early Sunday at an Airbnb rental house in Pittsburgh, where police said about 200 people were partying. Some escaped the shooting by jumping out of windows.
The shooting was the third time in nine days that a shooting broke out during Airbnb rental parties, including one near Sacramento, California, that killed a teenager and another that shook a suburban residential area of Houston.
The Pittsburgh shooting took place around 12:30 a.m. when police were notified of numerous reports of a shot from ShotSpotter in the East Allegheny district of the northern part of the city, a statement from the Pittsburgh Police Department said.
Investigators note the location of the Pittsburgh shooting in the early hours of April 17, 2022.
More shots were fired when police arrived on the scene and saw several young men fleeing and others fleeing in vehicles, according to the statement.
The victims with gunshot wounds were found near the home and were taken to hospitals by ambulance, police said. Other firearms victims were taken to district hospitals in private cars, including two minors who were pronounced dead on arrival at the emergency department, authorities said.
A total of 10 people were shot dead, including the two killed minors, police said. Several other victims received broken bones and cuts while fleeing the chaotic scene, authorities said.
A preliminary investigation found that the shooting took place during a large party held at the property for short-term rent, “with about 200 people present, many of them minors,” according to a police statement.
“About 50 rounds of ammunition were fired inside, prompting some partygoers to jump out of windows, injuring them with broken bones and tears,” police said in a statement. “Several more shots were fired outside the home.
No arrests have been made, and detectives are searching for evidence found at eight different crime scenes within a few blocks of Airbnb’s house. Detectives are also reviewing security videos in an attempt to identify the suspects.
Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert told a news conference Sunday that the shooting began after a “fight” and confirmed that many shooters had been involved in the shootout. He said that in addition to the victims of the shooting, five other people were injured by jumping out of windows or falling down stairs while hiding.
“Our top priority is to find out who did this and get them off the streets,” Schubert said.
He said the “vast majority” of the party’s people were minors.
“This is something that should not have happened. It goes back to having too many weapons – too many illegal weapons – on the streets. Too many people have access to these illegal weapons,” Schubert said. “Innocent people were beaten … We are tired of this and we will do everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.”
Police at the Pittsburgh shooting site in the early hours of April 17, 2022.
The shell casings collected at the scene show that many weapons, including rifles, were fired, said a police commander at the ABC WTAE branch in Pittsburgh.
“We share the outrage of the Pittsburgh community over this tragic gun violence. “Our hearts are for all those affected – including the relatives of those who lost their lives, the injured and their neighbors,” Airbnb said in a statement to ABC News on Sunday. “Airbnb strictly bans parties, and we condemn the behavior that allegedly caused this criminal violence with weapons.”
Airbnb said the person who booked the house had been banned for life by Airbnb. The company confirmed that an “unauthorized party” had been organized without the knowledge or consent of the host, who explicitly stated on the announcement page that no parties were allowed and that any proof of a party would result in a $ 500 fee.
“We will consider all legal options to hold this person accountable,” Airbnb said in a statement, adding that the company was cooperating with the Pittsburgh Police Department investigation.
Responding to claims that many of those present at the party were minors, the company said: “We can confirm that users must be 18 years of age or older to create an Airbnb account.
The company also noted that its CEO, Brian Cesky, has joined a coalition of CEOs across the country, calling for tighter gun control measures to remove illegal firearms from the streets.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Ganey said in a statement Sunday that police were using all available resources to find those responsible for the shooting, adding that community members had contacted investigators with information about the episode.
Ganey said the shooting happened when Pittsburgh police and city leaders worked on a plan over the past few weeks to tackle gun violence in the city. He said a special meeting of public safety and key members of the community was planned to discuss city-wide efforts to combat gun violence.
“It is time to act with a sense of urgency to bring justice to the victims and peace in our city,” Ganey said in a statement. “It is crucial that we unite now to help reduce the violence that is happening now as we begin to do the long-term work of ending the culture of violence that allows for the senseless loss of life we are experiencing today. We must not say more and never again. “
Anyone with information about the shooting can call the Pittsburgh Police Department for Serious Crimes at (412) 323-7161.
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