Police say Harrison shooting could have been a drug deal gone bad

Allegheny County Police describe a shooting Monday in Harrison’s Sheldon Park plan as a botched drug deal.

According to court documents, Albert Pittman, 15, of Harrison approached a 33-year-old man at the housing complex and “asked for bud,” meaning marijuana.

As the pair walked around one of the apartment units, Pittman is accused of drawing a handgun from his waistband and shooting the victim multiple times, police said.

He has been charged as an adult in the assault, which left the victim in critical but stable condition at an area hospital.

The man told police, from his hospital bed, that he is not familiar with Pittman, according to police.

Security footage from the scene shows Pittman and the victim walking around the building, and “smoke coming from the area,” according to court documents. The victim is seen running into a unit, while Pittman entered a building further away, police said.

Sheldon Park, just off Freeport and Springhill roads, is operated by the Allegheny County Housing Authority.

Authority police Chief Mike Vogel was not immediately available for comment.

Harrison police Chief Brian Turack said the shooting happened at the 21 building along Park Avenue. County detectives at the scene found a spent cartridge casing and projectile fragments.

County officers returned early Tuesday to serve search and arrest warrants in a separate location of the complex.

Pittman faces charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, tampering with physical evidence, firearms not to be carried without a license and illegal possession of a firearm by a minor.

He remains in Allegheny County Jail awaiting a June 26 preliminary hearing in Pittsburgh Municipal Court.