Man claims he shot another in Strip District club after hearing girlfriend’s plea for help

A man told police he heard his girlfriend call for his help before shooting and critically injuring a man early Friday inside a Strip District club, according to court records.

Officers went to Club Pittsburgh in the 1100 block of Penn Avenue shortly after 2 a.m. in response to a 911 call for a man with a gun. While heading there, officers were told a man had been shot on the fourth floor.

Police said they found the suspect, William Samuels, 55, and the victim at the club’s front customer entry.

During questioning later at Allegheny General Hospital, police said Samuels told them he rented a room at Club Pittsburgh for the night for himself and his girlfriend, who are homeless and stay in a tent she has Downtown, according to a criminal complaint.

Samuels said he was able to sneak his gun into the club under a heavy coat. Police found he has a valid conceal carry permit.

Samuels said he believed that others were giving his girlfriend drugs, including muscle relaxers, and because of that she may not be able to fight.

Samuels said he believed he heard her from the next room saying, “Billy, help me,” the complaint states. Samuels said he went to help and that everyone in the business and in the building were “in on it.”

Samuels did not explain why he shot the victim, who police said had been shot three times in the torso and arm, or why he was knocking on other doors in the club. Six people in the club told officers Samuels had pointed his gun at them, the complaint states.

After being released from the hospital and taken to police headquarters, Samuels declined to answer any more questions.

Police said they recovered a Ruger .380 pistol with an empty magazine and three spent .380 shell casings.

The victim was intubated and, if he survives, will need more surgeries, police said in the complaint. The man has injuries to his colon and stomach and lost his spleen and part of his liver. Because of extreme swelling and to avoid amputation, the man’s damaged arm had to be completely opened so it could drain.

Police charged Samuels with one count each of attempted homicide and aggravated assault and six counts each of terroristic threats and simple assault. He was denied bail and is being held in the Allegheny County Jail.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3 in Pittsburgh Municipal Court.