Split verdict reached in case against Homewood man in connection with police shootout

A jury reached a split verdict Monday on charges against a Hazelwood man who engaged in a shootout with Pittsburgh police in May 2022.

Jurors found Michael Tyrone Waller, 36, not guilty of attempted homicide, assault on a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault of two Pittsburgh police officers, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Kevin Sasinoski’s staff said.

When it came to the same charges for two more Pittsburgh police officers, the jury was deadlocked and a mistrial was declared.

A new jury trial on Waller’s remaining charges will take place, likely in front of Sasinoski, the staff member said. A date has not been set.

At least four Pittsburgh police officers responded to 7219 Kelly St. in Homewood just after 2:30 a.m. May 27, 2022, for a ShotSpotter alert of seven rounds of gunfire, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.

Upon arriving at the scene, police identified a suspect who was “firing shots in the middle of the roadway,” the complaint said.

A Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesman said at the time of Waller’s arrest that he fired at police while attempting to flee, and an officer returned fire. Nobody was injured.

Allegheny County Police found extensive evidence at the scene, including 17 spent shell casings, one spent projectile and two black, semiautomatic pistols — a Glock .22-caliber firearm and a Sig Sauer 45-caliber firearm.

Police said one of the guns recovered was reported stolen from Jefferson Hills in 2019.

Public defender Heath Edward Leff, who represents Waller, did not return calls seeking comment.