During the evening of July 4 into the early morning hours of July 5, a large and unruly crowd gathered in the East Carson Street corridor.
At approximately 1:00 a.m., officers in the 1400 block of Sarah Street heard shots fired and immediately responded. One adult male was apprehended outside on the street, and a firearm was recovered. A second male actor fled the area on foot. No injuries or property damage were reported.
Ronald Pelton, 23, of McKees Rocks, was charged with discharging a firearm, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, and possession of a weapon.
At approximately 2:00 a.m., Pittsburgh Police began to disperse the remaining crowd after multiple warnings were given. These actions were taken in accordance with our pre-established operational plan.
During this effort, individuals within the crowd began throwing projectiles and launching lit fireworks at officers and police vehicles.
Two officers sustained eye irritation from firework debris, and another was struck by a thrown rock. Medics were on scene, but all three officers declined medical attention.
Officers arrested Delricco White, 19, of Duquesne, PA, after he was observed throwing fireworks at police. White is charged with aggravated assault, possessing instruments of a crime, recklessly endangering another person, propulsion of missiles, evading arrest on foot, and disorderly conduct.
Also taken into custody was Kyliek McCracken, 18, of Ambridge, PA, who was observed fleeing with White. He is facing charges of criminal conspiracy (aiding in the propulsion of missiles onto roadways), disorderly conduct, and evading arrest.
Only after officers and the vehicles were targeted with projectiles, did police deploy OC spray and inert/vapor smoke. To be clear, gas was not used at any point.
By approximately 3:00 a.m., the crowd was fully dispersed.
Pittsburgh Police made an additional three arrests and issued seven non-traffic citations throughout the evening. Charges for the arrests and citations include: aggravated assault on law enforcement, disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, and marijuana possession.
Two additional firearms were also recovered.