BRENTWOOD, PA – A high-speed car chase culminated in a fatal police shooting on Wednesday evening in Brentwood, a South Hills neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennslyvania, according to Allegheny County Police. The incident began when a county officer spotted a stolen vehicle, a black Nissan Rogue, on Brownsville Road in South Park around 5 p.m.
Despite initially complying with the officer’s request, the driver of the suspect vehicle quickly sped away after being pulled over. Allegheny County Police said they concluded their pursuit for safety reasons and called off the traffic stop.
However, the chase did not end there as Brentwood officers spotted the stolen vehicle on Route 51 just six minutes later and began another pursuit. The driver escalated the situation by ramming his vehicle into a Brentwood Police officer’s car along Laveton Road before abandoning his vehicle and attempting to flee on foot on Check Way, according to police reports.
During a physical altercation that ensued between the suspect and a Brentwood officer, it was found that the suspect was armed with a gun. Allegheny County Police Superintendent Chris Kearns stated, “During this confrontation, the officer fired multiple rounds, striking the suspect.”
The wound proved fatal as the armed suspect was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. His identity remains undisclosed and law enforcement officials have confirmed that he was in possession of a firearm.
The entire incident encompassing the chase and the ensuing shooting lasted for a mere ten minutes. Superintendent Kearns believes that the officer involved was wearing a body camera during the confrontation.
In light of the incident, the Brentwood Police requisitioned the services of the County Police Homicide Unit to spearhead the investigation.