Most Popular Videos Featured On KDKA.com
Apr 5, 2009 8:20 pm US/Eastern
Neighbors Witness Tragedy In Stanton Heights
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
-
-
An ambulance, a Pittsburgh police van & an Allegheny County police car pull up to the scene in Stanton Heights.
KDKA
Life is slowly getting back to normal for many of the neighbors in Stanton Heights caught near the crossfire during the shootout with police.
One nearby couple was awakened Saturday morning by the gunfire only a few feet from their home.
Some people who live across the street say when the shooting started they stayed away from the windows and even hid in their basements.
Randy Daniel, a veteran of the Iraq war, said he felt like he was caught in a combat zone.
Daniel said he and his girlfriend, JoAnn Dubaniewicz, were asleep on the couch when a bullet bounced off their window. The shooting started when several officers responded to a domestic violence call across the street.
"I was able to look out the door, which gave me a clear view of the whole scene, that's when I realized the other two officers had been shot," said Daniel. "I did see the shooter at the front door of the house when I seen him the police officers were extracting the police officer that was on the street."
"I called 911 and looked outside, there was a police officer shot in their walkway and there was a police officer in the street," said Dubaniewicz.
The third officer, Eric Kelly, lived in the neighborhood and was off duty when he responded to the call offering backup.
"It looked like he had just gotten out of his car and had gotten shot right there in front of his car, didn't really even make it out of his car," said Daniel.
Adding to their frustration, Dubaniewicz, who is a nurse, says she had bandages and other hospital supplies in her house and wanted to help but no one could get near the scene because it was too dangerous.
"She wanted to go out , several times she made mention, but it was impossible. It wasn't safe," said Daniel. "Again, it was in the direct line of fire."
During the four hour ordeal, the couple said they heard several hundred gunshots and Dubaniewicz's car also was shot up.
As for her neighbor, 23-year-old Richard Poplawski, she says he never caused her any problems and feels sorry for everyone involved.
"Especially the officers' families, just have to pray for them," said Dubaniewicz.
Since the incident happened, police have been in and out of the home conducting an extensive investigation.
Neighbors say they're waiting to place flowers at the scene to honor to slain officers.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Painted Chickens Found Wandering At CMU
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments