Warrants issued for Tarentum brothers for their role in 'gun battle' in Sheldon Park public housing in Harrison

Two brothers from Tarentum have been charged with attempted homicide, as they are accused of shooting at people in a Sheldon Park apartment early Thursday in Harrison.

Troy Vickers, 30, and Brian Vickers, 19, are each also charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, conspiracy and firearms violations in what Allegheny County Police described as a “gun battle” at about 1 a.m. in the 200 block of Park Avenue.

There were no injuries reported, police said.

According to investigators, Troy Vickers entered the apartment through an open door and fired at several people inside while Brian Vickers fired several rounds from outside the apartment.

Two people in the apartment returned fire, according to police. Authorities said they legally own their guns and have valid conceal carry permits for them.

Arrest warrants were issued Thursday afternoon for the Vickers brothers, after investigators consulted with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office.

Sydney Hayden heard the shots ring out Thursday morning while she was sitting at her kitchen table, compiling emails for an upcoming community event.

“Everybody heard them,” she said. “It’s usually quiet up here. They don’t need to be making this like the O.K. Corral.”

Sheldon Park residents said about four shots were fired at one of the Allegheny County Housing Authority apartments.

Hayden is president of the Sheldon Park Residents Council. She has worked for years to provide children’s events and community gatherings that promote safety and unity. She doesn’t want random crime to give the neighborhood a bad name.

“We need more police presence,” she said. “We used to have someone stationed here from the county housing authority and he was hands-on. He talked to the kids. He walked around. He interacted, and we didn’t have these problems.”

Hayden is on the board of the Allegheny County Housing Authority and has discussed the need for additional police at Sheldon Park.

“They are trying, but they only have a handful of people,” she said. “Nobody wants to work.”

The apartment unit where Thursday’s shooting happened sits across the street from the Booker Center, one of two community centers in the neighborhood.

Hayden said there are frequently children all around the building.

“The residents council does a lot in this community, and we’re trying,” she said. “This kind of stuff doesn’t make sense. They need to stop the foolishness.”