Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, March 20:
House fire in Monessen
Fire crews were called to the scene of a house fire Thursday morning in Monessen.
According to TribLive news partner WTAE, the fire was reported a little after 3 a.m. at a home on the 1500 block of Jones Street.
No injuries were reported. The fire’s cause has not been released.
Pittsburgh police release 2024 stats
So, how successful were the Pittsburgh police in 2024?
According to the bureau, the agency solved 23 out of the 42 homicides that occurred last year. With a rate of almost 55%, the agency said officers additionally solved six cases that took place before 2024.
This left the bureau with 66.6% clearance rate.
Police said the national average clearance rate is just under 58%.
Arrest made in Downtown Pittsburgh shooting case
Pittsburgh police have made an arrest in connection to a February shooting in Downtown that put a teenage boy in the hospital.
Martel Hedge Jr., 21, of Pittsburgh is facing multiple charges including aggravated assault and four counts of recklessly endangering another person.
Officers reported to the 400 block of Smithfield Street just after 4 p.m. Feb. 19. Cara Cruz, a police spokesperson, previously told TribLive a city police officer heard a gunshot while driving down Smithfield Street.
A teenage male had been shot in the abdomen and rushed to the hospital in critical, but stable condition. The shooting took place in front of a vacant building across the street from the former Kaufmann’s department store.
Shortly after the initial event, officers stated they witnessed the suspected assailant drop the gun and took the suspect into custody, but did not identify him as Hedge.