A Wilkinsburg police officer shot and critically wounded an armed man late Tuesday afternoon, according to Allegheny County Police.
County police said early information indicated the officer opened fire after giving the man “numerous commands” to drop a handgun he was carrying.
Neither the officer nor the man he shot was identified by police.
The shooting happened around 4:21 p.m. near the intersection of Swissvale and Ross avenues in Wilkinsburg.
Police said the officer was on patrol when the armed man approached his vehicle in the 1000 block of Ross Avenue.
The officer got out of his vehicle and ordered the man to drop the gun.
“The officer then opened fire a short time later, striking the male in the chest,” county police said.
Police did not say whether the man refused the commands.
County police released no other details about the circumstances of the shooting, which they are investigating.
The man was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Tuesday’s shooting is at least the fourth incident involving police use of force that county police have investigated this year.
Anyone with information can call the county police tip line 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
In January, a Churchill police officer shot and critically injured a Wilkins Township man, Khalil Collier, 31. Authorities said Collier fired gunshots at police officers who were responding to a 911 call at an apartment complex.
A month later, a Scott Township police officer fatally shot a man after he charged officers armed with a knife and could not be stopped with a Taser, county police said at the time.
A third incident, which involved physical force and a Taser, took place in Liberty Borough on April 12, county police said. In that incident, Matthew Bertges fought with officers trying to take him into custody after a domestic dispute.