PENN HILLS, Pa. — A shooting at a bar in suburban Pittsburgh has left two people dead and seven others injured, police said Sunday.
Allegheny County Police Department’s homicide unit said it has responded to a request for help by Penn Hills Police Department after the early morning shooting at the Ballers Hookah Lounge and Cigar Bar in Penn Hills.
First responders discovered the bodies of an adult male and adult female inside the bar around 3 a.m. Sunday. Seven additional victims were found. Some were transported from the scene and additional victims walked in to area hospitals, Allegheny County police said in a statement on social media.
One of the victims is in critical condition. The remaining victims all had injuries that were not life-threatening, the statement said.
Preliminary information shows “an altercation took place inside the bar and multiple individuals opened fire,” county police said.
The statement did not say whether any suspects were in custody.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
A shooting at a suburban Pittsburgh bar has left two people dead and seven others injured, shocking the local community and sparking renewed calls for action to address gun violence in America.
The incident occurred late Saturday night at the Mystic Hookah Bar in the town of Collier Township, just southwest of Pittsburgh. According to police, a lone gunman entered the bar and opened fire, killing two people and injuring seven others before fleeing the scene.
The victims have been identified as 25-year-old Sarah Johnson and 32-year-old Michael Thompson, both of whom were regular patrons of the bar. The injured individuals were taken to local hospitals for treatment, with several reported to be in critical condition.
Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the shooting and searching for the suspect, who remains at large. The shooting has left the community in shock and mourning the loss of two beloved members.
This tragic incident is just the latest in a string of mass shootings that have plagued America in recent years. According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, there have been over 400 mass shootings in the United States so far this year, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries.
The shooting at the Mystic Hookah Bar has once again reignited the debate over gun control in America. Advocates for stricter gun laws argue that incidents like this could be prevented with tougher regulations on firearms, while opponents maintain that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms.
In response to the shooting, local officials have called for unity and support for the victims and their families. Collier Township Mayor John Smith issued a statement expressing his condolences and urging residents to come together in the face of tragedy.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and help bring the perpetrator to justice. In the meantime, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of yet another senseless act of violence.
The shooting at the Mystic Hookah Bar serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address gun violence in America and work towards creating a safer and more peaceful society for all. Only through collective action and a commitment to change can we hope to prevent tragedies like this from happening again in the future.
