SWAT Responds to Barricaded Male in Central Oakland

Published on December 25, 2023

Date: December 25, 2023
Incident Type: SWAT
Location: Zone 4
Summary:

Just after 1:00 a.m., Pittsburgh Police from Zone 4 were dispatched to the 300 block of Atwood Street for a welfare check of a heavily intoxicated adult male with a handgun.

Upon arrival, officers attempted to make contact with the actor, but were unsuccessful. Officers then began to evacuate individuals from nearby apartments. During this time, the actor fired a round within his residence.

The actor called 911 to say the firearm discharge was accidental, but he proceeded to make statements threatening harm to himself, police, and others.

Because the actor was barricaded within his apartment, a SWAT callout was initiated. For the next several hours, the actor continued firing interior rounds as well as shots apparently directed towards officers out of an exterior window.

With the joint assistance of a number of law enforcement partner agencies, the actor surrendered without further incident at 7:22 a.m. He was taken into custody and transported to the Allegheny County Jail.

Bruce M. Straka, 36, is charged with Terroristic Threats and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.

Reporting PIO: Emily Bourne

2023-12-25
PIO@pittsburghpa.gov