Alleged domestic dispute, confrontation with police leads to man being shot by Pittsburgh police officer

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A man is in the hospital after getting into a shootout with Pittsburgh police. Investigators said it followed a domestic incident in the city's Garfield neighborhood.

According to investigators, at 11:03 Tuesday morning, they got the call for a woman being assaulted in the 4900 block of Kincaid Street. The first officer arrived a few minutes later at 11:11. The suspect, a 20-year-old male, allegedly opened fire.

"It was no six-shooter. It was like a bunch of shots," neighbor Joe Gaines said about the shooting.

Allegheny County police said there were several rounds of gunfire before the officer shot the suspect in the leg. The man was transported to an area hospital and was last listed in stable condition, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety .

The officer was not hurt. There is no word yet on how many shots were fired between the two.

"There were other officers dispatched. He was the first on scene, and he was met with gunfire," Allegheny County Police Department Superintendent Christopher Kearns said.

Police said the assaulted woman had injuries to her face. Officers are not sure of the relationship between the suspect and the female victim.

The Pittsburgh officer will be off for the next few days before going to a psychiatrist for their well-being. County police are handling the investigation.

"We do the officer-involved and critical incidents in the city, as there is no Allegheny County police officer involved," Superintendent Kearns said at the scene.

According to Chief Larry Scirotto, the officer has been with the bureau for about 10 years. He said he has never had any issues, and has been involved in what he called "critical incidents" before without specifying any. The chief commented on his officer's actions Tuesday.

"He acted appropriately under the circumstances, and we're glad he wasn't injured," Chief Scirotto said.

For neighbors, this is the second time in the last year they've had someone shoot at police.

Last August, a man got into an hours-long shootout with police just blocks away.

"When you hear a lot like that, you just wonder what's going on. Should I stay inside?" Gaines said about the two incidents.

Once the Allegheny County Police Department wraps up its investigation, their findings go over to the district attorney's office, who will then make decision if the shooting was justified or not.