4 shot outside Pittsburgh high school, police say

Four students were shot Tuesday afternoon outside of Westinghouse Academy in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood just after school let out, police said.

None of the injuries are reported to be life-threatening, officers said. Police said the student victims, two 15-year-old boys, a 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, were shot at 2:23 p.m.

Pittsburgh Public Safety said the students appeared to suffer wounds to their hands and other extremities.

Three students were taken to an area hospital by paramedics, and a family member transported a fourth student, officials said.

All of the students are in stable condition, police said.

“The kids are traumatized,” said Pittsburgh Police Zone 5 Cmdr. Stephen Vinansky. “We’re going to need a lot help from the community to help these students get through it.”

A parent pick-up spot for students was set up at Idlewild and North Murtland streets.

A district spokeswoman said Westinghouse will not be open Wednesday, but the school will operate remotely.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey showed up at the scene and spoke with the media. Earlier Tuesday, he attended a funeral for slain McKeesport police Officer Sean Sluganski.

“Let’s be honest, these are our kids,” Gainey said. “That’s why we talk so much about getting these guns off the streets. We can’t keep these guns out of our kids’ hands, and that’s the problem. We still don’t have any idea how these guns are coming into the city.

“It hurts.”

Gainey said there is “no magic wand” to deal with the gun violence problem, saying it will require a solution that involves the community, the city and state and federal authorities.

“This is something that’s deeply rooted, and we need to pull it out by the root,” he said.

Pittsburgh — please join me in praying for the victims and their families, and for the entire Westinghouse community today. pic.twitter.com/hj9rvLxWkS

— Mayor Ed Gainey (@MayorEdGainey) February 14, 2023

Suspect descriptions

Pittsburgh police issued an alert for area police to be on the lookout for two males, one wearing a black ski mask and one with green shoes believed to be driving a gray Chevrolet Malibu. The car was last seen in the area of Fielding Way and North Murtland Street.

Nobody was in custody Tuesday afternoon.

Investigators are reviewing footage from surveillance cameras in the area.

Message from superintendent

In a voicemail sent to parents in the Pittsburgh Public Schools district, Superintendent Wayne Walters urged people to come forward with information connected to the shooting.

“We must collectively commit to always working together and encourage all to always share something if they know something,” he said. “Violent acts are becoming pervasive and, as a society, we all must act to create impact.”