1 dead, at least 8 others injured in mass shooting at Indiana County party

Oct. 8—Moments after Pennsylvania State Police troopers on horseback arrived at the Chevy Chase Community Center in Indiana County expecting to engage in crowd control after midnight on Sunday, dozens of gunshots rang out.

More than 150 people began streaming out of the White Township building.

"They exited that building in any way possible," state police Lt. Col. Geoge Bivens said Sunday afternoon, "... people dove through windows, people ran through doors, ran through porch railings trying to get away from that scene. There was chaos and there were people who ran through the neighborhood."

Some troopers helped the wounded while others went inside to search for more victims and secure the scene, Bivens said.

One person was killed and at least eight others were injured in the shooting, state police said.

Bivens believes there is more than one shooter, and authorities pleaded with the public for help. A reward of up to $15,000 is being offered by Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. State police are working with local and federal investigators.

Troopers orignally responded to the center just after midnight on Sunday for a report of a noise complaint during a private party, according to Bivens.

The troopers were assured the noise would be turned down, he said.

"As a precaution the PSP mounted unit was asked to move to that area and monitor the situation, as there was the potential issue of a large group of people to be managed at this party," he said.

"We believe this was an incident that was really isolated to the attendees at that party," he said. "Certainly, we believe the individuals that were involved in this were dangerous and they engaged in a gunfight in a building like that. But we do not believe this was an act of violence directed at the community at large."

No one has been charged. Bivens said he believes there were multiple people firing guns.

The shooting scene is not far from Indiana Area Senior High School, outside of Indiana Borough. The center is about 2 miles from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania campus. Police have identified but did not name the host of the party.

A 22-year-old Pittsburgh man died at the scene. His identity has not been released by authorities. An 18-year-old man from Chicago was in critical condition.

"It was not an IUP-sanctioned party," Trooper Cliff Greenfield said. "The venue was rented by a private individual."

IUP spokeswoman Michelle Fryling confirmed that the party was not affiliated with the university, but she added that at least two IUP students were injured. Three of the injured were Waynesburg University students, according to a spokeswoman.

Greenfield said the remaining seven people who were injured include four men ages 18, 19, 20 and 22; two 19-year-old women; and a 23-year-old woman. Their hometowns were unconfirmed by police, but all are from Pennsylvania except for the 18-year-old man, who is from Florida.

Police are asking anyone who left behind a personal item to contact state police. Also, any residents or business owners in the area are asked to check surveillance cameras.

Anyone who was at the party and has not yet spoken with state police should contact the Indiana station at 724-357-1960. Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers can be contacted anonymously at 1-800-4PA-TIPS or tips can be submitted online.

Chaotic scene

Shoes and other personal items were scattered around the scene Sunday morning as community members wandered nearby and cars drove slowly past the community center on North Fifth Avenue.

Robert Miller lives in the neighborhood and said he and his wife were about to go to bed and heard loud music coming from the building.

"Then all of a sudden, I heard about 20 gunshots," he said. "There was people lying on the edge of the sidewalk out there. It's terrifying."

Miller's wife, Ellen Ober, said she's scared living in the neighborhood and neither were able to sleep.

"There were people everywhere crying and screaming," she said.

The university said in an email to staff that people on campus should "remain vigilant if leaving your secure location."

It is homecoming weekend at IUP, and the university said campus activities "are operating as scheduled with enhanced police presence."

The community center is nestled in a residential area, the Chevy Chase neighborhood, and it's unusual that a party at the center would go that late into the night, Greenfield said.

"The community center is sort of the staple of the community there," he said. "It's a very busy place."

There are meals served from the center, and it is host to a farmer's market. The facility can be rented for up to 150 people.

Lillian Clemons, who lives nearby, said she is a former director of the center.

"They should get a policy: Don't rent on the crazy holidays," she said. "This was homecoming weekend, not the time I would start letting party rentals."

She said her brother is among many people who get meals from the center.

"I'm about to cry. It's hurtful because everybody struggles to keep this," she said. "I was quite shocked to even hear that there was a party down here."

She said she is heartbroken.

"This was a service for the community," she said. "That's what we need it for, for the people."

Another nearby resident, Misty Castro, said it is a tight-knit community.

"It's ridiculous when things like this happen," she said. "That's just a shame. Fortunately, my kid is out of town. Otherwise, she probably would have been there."

The center will be closed until further notice, according to a message posted on its Facebook page by executive director, Brandi Ports. It was built in 1971 and renovated in 2000 after being established by a group of citizens who formed the Chevy Chase Community Action Council, according to its website.

Ports and other staff and board members at the center did not respond to numerous messages sent by email, phone or social media.

Neighborhood resident Lucinda Stiller said she had worked as a cleaner at the center and was concerned about the loss of services while it is closed.

"They make our community like it's a bad place to come to," she said. "Why are they having private parties and bringing it into our community?"

Police response

State police said they had extra troopers working patrols and enforcement details for homecoming weekend. Troopers on one of those details responded within a minute of the shooting being reported, Greenfield said.

First responders, Indiana Borough police and troopers rendered aid at the scene to those who were wounded. Some were taken to Indiana Regional Medical Center, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh and Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. Some had been treated and released.

"We are following up on a considerable amount of information right now," Greenfield said. "We have recovered evidence from the scene."

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Related:

—3.26.2023. 12 hurt after floor collapses in apartment building near Indiana University of Pennsylvania

—3.27.2023. Several treated, released after apartment floor collapse near IUP; video shows packed party

—3.25.2023. New Kensington woman accused of repeatedly hitting a state police horse, 1 of 2 incidents during IUPatty's revelry

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Governor informed

State Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) released a statement in which he said he is "saddened, disturbed and frankly, angry such senseless violence has occurred in our community.

"I have been in communication with Governor Shapiro this morning and I am confident the perpetrator(s) will be brought to justice swiftly," he said in the statement.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta by email at rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter .