Police Officer Shot In New Kensington, PA Has Died, Gunman Still At Large

[left-of-center2012]

NEW KENSINGTON, PA (KDKA) —
A manhunt is continuing in Westmoreland County into the overnight hours after a police officer was fatally shot in the chest Friday evening in New Kensington.

The shooting was first reported around 8:15 p.m. in the 1200 block of Leishman Avenue.

Sources say the gunman remains at large. A massive police presence has converged on the New Kensington area, including officers from Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties, Pittsburgh Police, McKeesport Police and North Versailles Police.

“I’ve never seen this many… I’ve never seen more than two cop cars here,” said one neighbor. “This is insane. We’re all praying for him… and for all the police officers to just catch whoever did this.”

“It’s kinda scary, especially with my kids around, but seeing a lot of action like this, it’s crazy. It’s scary, really. It’s unbelievable,” said Maria Ceniceros, another neighbor.

The vehicle had reportedly been seen earlier in the evening on Saltsburg Road in Penn Hills.

Elsewhere in New Kensington, police surrounded the area of the 1100 block Walnut Street after 11:30 p.m. But it was unclear what they were looking for.

[SoCalMusicLover]

1. Too Soon?

It doesn't take a mass killing to see that we have a gun problem. Oh well, just more blood for nra

[John1956PA]

2. Police found the sought-after vehicle, which had been abandoned. No word about any suspect.

Police had been searching for a particular older vehicle which was later found parked along a street. Police have not issued a description of the shooter. As of ten hours after the shooting, the media are reporting that the shooter is still at large.

[left-of-center2012]

3. I lived in "New Ken" in the 60s

I graduated in '64, and left for work out of state in '68.
It saddens me to see the decline downtown, and read about all the crime.
On some websites folks say the city was better when the mob was around.

I keep meaning to buy the book “Little Chicago: A History of Organized Crime in New Kensington, Pennsylvania”.

https://www.facebook.com/Little-Chicago-The-History-of-Organized-Crime-in-New-Kensington-PA-144120279092065/