Victims identified in deadly East Allegheny mass shooting in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh police said about 200 people were at a party at an Airbnb when shots were fired. Ten people were shot, and Mathew Steffy-Ross and Jaiden Brown, both 17, were killed.
Pittsburgh police said about 200 people were at a party at an Airbnb when shots were fired. Ten people were shot, and Mathew Steffy-Ross and Jaiden Brown, both 17, were killed.
Pittsburgh police said about 200 people were at a party at an Airbnb when shots were fired. Ten people were shot, and Mathew Steffy-Ross and Jaiden Brown, both 17, were killed.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's office has released the identities of two victims in Sunday morning's deadly shooting in Pittsburgh's North Side.
Watch the breaking news report in the video player above.
Matthew Steffy-Ross, 17, of Pitcairn, and Jaiden Brown, 17, whose home of record was not listed by the medical examiner's office, were both transported from the scene where they were pronounced dead according to reports.
The Woodland Hills School District, where Brown was a student, issued a statement extending sympathy to the family and offering support services for students who will return on Tuesday after spring break.
Brown’s uncle talked to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 Monday afternoon. He said his nephew was about to turn 18 and graduate from Woodland Hills High School. He said his family had already planned Jaiden’s graduation party.
Lee Davis said he knew Jaiden since he was a child and reconnected with him years later becoming his mentor.
“His energy was great. Everybody loved him, and he became very well-liked in the community. To see this happen to him was really heartbreaking as well because he had a very bright future,” Davis said.
Davis said he also mentored Steffy-Ross.
“I have been to over 100 funerals in the 17 years I have been doing this work, and I thought I was all cried out, but when I seen what happened to Jaiden and Matt, the tears just came all over again. It just hurt my heart. Like it was the first time I ever went through this, so it doesn't get any easier,” Davis said.
Grace Non-Traditional Christian Academy, located in East Liberty, confirmed to Pittsburgh's Action News 4 that Steffy-Ross was a student at the school.
The school said he went there for one year and was a senior, set to graduate this semester.
The school CEO shared a photo of Steffy-Ross that was provided by his family.
The school CEO, Dr. Terrie Suica-Reed also released a statement Monday evening. Read the full statement below.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to both families of the victims from the Easter Sunday shooting in East Allegheny.
"Mathew Steffy-Ross was a senior who was kind, respectful, and considerate of others. He loved music and had a promising future. Tragically, both Mathew's and Jaiden's life were unfairly cut short by another senseless act of violence.
"Life is not a video game. Guns in the wrong hands can end a life. We as a society must do more to intervene to stop these shootings. Too many lives are lost and we all feel the impact from the loss of so many of our young people. "
The chaotic scene along Madison Avenue in the city's East Allegheny neighborhood saw an estimated 200 people spilling into the streets from an Airbnb where a large party was taking place.
ShotSpotter alerted police to at least 90 rounds fired. A witness described the crowds of partygoers spilling out into the street.
Video shows the scene at the party: Click the video player above to watch.
“They come tearing out the door. There’s only that one entrance right there and they come tearing out. They were falling over, crying,” Leonard Verdetto said.
Security footage from a nearby home captured a crowd forming in the street before the flashes of multiple rounds were fired, and the crowd scattered.
“Our hearts go out to the victims, to their families, and anyone who is traumatized from this incident,” Pittsburgh police Chief Scott Schubert said.
The two 17-year-old boys were pronounced dead at the hospital. Police said 10 gunshot victims, including the deceased, have been reported.
Police also said five additional people were injured as hundreds of people tried to escape the upstairs apartment.
“Either jumping from windows falling down steps are just trying to seek cover and get out of the area,” Schubert said.
One other person was hurt when a car was shot up, police said.
School officials, students, parents react to shooting: Watch the report above.
Investigators were gathering evidence from as many as eight crime scenes spanning a few blocks in the area after the shooting in the city's East Allegheny neighborhood.
Police say gunshot victims were located at or near the scene and were taken to hospitals by EMS and police. Additional gunshot victims arrived at hospitals by private means, according to police.
Mitchell Wilston said the chaos started at least an hour before shots were fired.
“We stopped at our house at 11:30, midnight and it was chaos,” Wilston said. “People were parking down the wrong side of the street, driving down the wrong side of the street. It was very crowded. Police were actually here at 11:30 or 12:00.”
At one point Sunday evening, a small pile of flowers formed on the steps of the building.
“It’s heartbreaking, here we are Easter, and we have multiple families, two that won’t see a loved one,” Schubert said.
Video above: Watch the police news briefing on the shooting.
No arrests have been announced, and police said there is no information on any suspects at this time.
Detectives from Major Crimes are speaking to witnesses and reviewing video footage. Anyone who has information about the shooting is asked to call 412-323-7161. Investigators have also set up a website for the public to submit tips, videos, and photos of the incident that could help in their investigation.
See raw video from the shooting scene below.