Wilkinsburg police officers shoot driver after chase
Incident occurred during traffic stop
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A man who was shot by Wilkinsburg police during a traffic stop late Monday in Point Breeze was in critical but stable condition Tuesday at a Pittsburgh hospital.
Paul Anthony Adams Jr., 32, of Pitcairn is accused of leading Wilkinsburg police on a pursuit through Wilkinsburg and into Pittsburgh about 11:30 p.m. Monday.
Wilkinsburg officers tried to stop Mr. Adams after he ran a red light and violated other traffic laws, Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Sonya Toler said.
Mr. Adams pulled over at the corner of Penn and South Braddock avenues, stepped out of the car, then got back inside, she said.
He then got out again, this time with a shotgun, Ms. Toler said. He pointed it in the direction of the officers, who took cover and opened fire, she said.
According to a criminal complaint, officers said they began walking backward as Mr. Adams approached them with the weapon. They said they had a verbal exchange withhim before they fired.
After he was shot, Mr. Adams dropped his shotgun, turned and began walking toward his vehicle before collapsing, the complaint said.
Police initially said Mr. Adams shot at officers, but the investigation later showed the man likely did not fire, Ms. Toler said. She added that a full review will “make that clear.”
The officers weren’t injured. Police recovered the shotgun and found a second loaded firearm in the vehicle, Ms. Toler said.
Mr. Adams was charged by Pittsburgh police late Tuesday with two counts of aggravated assault.
Pittsburgh police and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office are investigating the shooting. Mike Manko, spokesman for District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., said Tuesday his office will determine whether the Wilkinsburg officers acted appropriately after Pittsburgh police finish their review.
The involved officers have been placed on paid leave, which is standard procedure, Wilkinsburg police Chief Ophelia “Cookie” Coleman said Tuesday.