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Jun 19, 2008 3:56 pm US/Eastern
Mt. Washington Neighbors Worry After Bar Shooting
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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Police say Brandon Alton, 23, died overnight after a shooting at a bar in Mount Washington.
KDKA
As police continue their investigation into the second homicide in Mount Washington this week, many long-time residents of the neighborhood say they are concerned for their safety.
Pittsburgh police are now asking for the public's help to find the suspect in the deadly overnight shooting at Sonny's Place on Shiloh Street.
According to police, six men got into an argument at the bar, which led to a fight just after midnight.
Authorities say one of the men pulled a gun and shot 23-year-old Brandon Alton. He was taken to Mercy Hospital and later died from his injuries.
"During the fight, a short black male with braids, or dreadlocks pulled out a gun and shot Alton," said Pittsburgh Police Commander Thomas Stangrecki. "The suspect fled the bar and has not yet been identified."
Police say they have interviewed several witnesses, but have not yet made any arrests.
KDKA's Bob Allen reports that many residents say the night spot should be closed as a nuisance bar and the recent violence in their neighborhood has them concerned.
"We have a lot of people coming up here as visitors. You have a lot of people coming up here for the holidays and to have something like this on a main street, in Mount Washington, is not good," said Alphonso Randolph, of the Mount Washington Community Development Corp.
Randolph says he works one block away from the Sonny's Place. He says he thinks the clientele has turned the bar into a trouble spot.
"The music is not loud, but the people that are going in and going out are younger people. The younger people are doing the killing. It's not so much the people my age. It's the younger ones," said Randolph.
Another resident, who did not want to be identified, said Mount Washington is becoming more dangerous.
"It's not the same place as I knew it to be. I lived here all my life. It's terrible," she told KDKA. "A lot of drug activity. A lot of people not from Mount Washington are coming up here with drugs. People are afraid to leave their homes past five o'clock because of all the activity from strangers."
Neighbors add that they believe the police are doing all they can, but they are worried that the violence may get worse this summer.
Stay with KDKA for the latest developments.
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