Morning Roundup: 5 shot in Pittsburgh's Middle Hill neighborhood

Here are some news items from this morning, Thursday, Aug. 10:

Five people injured in Middle Hill shooting

Three people are in critical condition, among five injured in a shooting late Wednesday night in Pittsburgh’s Middle Hill neighborhood.

Police responded at 10:45 p.m. to a ShotSpotter alert for multiple rounds fired near the 2100 block of Webster Avenue. That was followed by 911 calls describing two people who had been shot at Jay’s Lounge at the corner of Webster and Kirkpatrick Street.

Medics transported two gunshot victims in serious condition. Three additional victims arrived at area hospitals by private means, police said. Three victims remain listed in critical condition, and one has been released from the hospital.

Police asked anyone with information to call 412-323-7800 and ask for the major crimes unit.

Man charged with rape

Pittsburgh Police arrested an Ambridge man who was already in the Beaver County Jail on Wednesday, charging him with rape, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, terroristic threats and related charges in connection with a July 22 incident, according to court records.

Police interviewed a homeless woman on July 30 who told them she performs sex work in order to support herself, according to a sworn affidavit.

The woman, whom police did not identify, said she was approached July 22 by a man — whom she later identified as Jonathan D. Vance, 37, of Ambridge, in a police photo array — who was seeking a sexual encounter. She got into Vance’s vehicle and the two drove to a secluded location, according to court documents.

The woman said Vance told her he wanted to stage “a rape fantasy,” to which she did not consent. She told police Vance then put a knife to her throat, told her he would harm her, and restrained her hands while raping her, according to the affidavit.

Vance was arrested on a warrant while already incarcerated at the Beaver County Jail on unrelated charges.

Rink renamed for fallen McKeesport policeman

Tribune-Review

Baldwin Borough officials renamed their dek hockey rink in memory of slain McKeesport Police Officer Sean Sluganski at a ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023.

Baldwin officials renamed their dek hockey rink in memory of McKeesport police officer Sean Sluganski, at a ceremony Wednesday evening.

Borough officials announced that the Elm Leaf dek hockey rink would be renamed “Slug’s Deck.”

Sluganski was killed Feb. 6 while responding to a domestic dispute. Another officer, Chuck Thomas, was also wounded in the incident.

Downed tree knocks out power in Beaver County

WTAE

A large tree downed a power line and damaged a transformer on Second Avenue between 13th and 15 streets in New Brighton. It was one of two trees to fall on power lines during storms last night, cutting power to thousands of residents.

Nearly 2,000 people were without power in Beaver County after strong storms caused two trees to fall on power lines overnight.

Duquesne Light officials said a tree fell near the 1400 block of Third Avenue in New Brighton, damaging a transformer. A second tree fell on a right-of-way near Beaver Falls. Both occurred around 4:30 a.m.

Duquesne Light Digital Media Associate Manager Samson Horne said power is expected to be restored by 11 a.m. Thursday.

As of 7 a.m., 2,015 customers were without power primarily in New Brighton and Beaver Falls, with 13 customers in the Brighton and West Mayfield areas.