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At least 5 killed, several hurt in shooting near Pittsburgh

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For those foolish enough to think gun control w/ help: The biggest mass murder of school children in the US didn't use guns. The San Bernardino terrorist spent $thousands to murder 16 Americans. Two days later, 2 thugs used a couple of gallons of gas to murder 17 people in Cairo. The murder rate in white communities appears somewhat higher than Japan's (but definately much lower than Europe's) but my data is currently incomplete.

The mass shootings of last week were all white people, were they not? Which shootings are you referring to? According to gunviolencearchive.org, since 01 March, the US has had 8 "mass shootings" w/ 5 resulting in 1+ deaths. Attackers were black (2 events), Hispanic including one illegal alien (2 events), and 4 events w/ no description.

It’s sad when a bullied white kids shoot up Columbine (other fellow white kids) for being "in" The Trenchcoat Mafia.

Sorry but you're a victim of the libel press. As in most school shootings, the Trenchcoat Mafia were the bullies.

Keeping in mind only 12% of the US population commits no less than 50-60% of the shootings perhaps we need to concentrate on changeing the sub-culture that encourages that behavior.

In states that have the weakest gun laws, they tend to have more gun violence. You've got it backwards. There is a correlation between higher violent crime and stricter gun laws. For ex: DC has the strictest gun laws in the US. Their murder rate is more than the next two states, also w/ strict gun laws, combined (as of 2014).

Folks - Don't get hung up on the tools of violence. Nor the term "violence" itself. That's a ploy used by victim wannabes to make everyone else a victim as well. Violence, even "gun violence", can be good thing - Unless you want to be raped or beaten to beyond recognition."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Considering that, according to the FBI database, 95-98% of blacks killed in the US are killed by other blacks, it's reasonable to believe this is black-on-black crime. Given there are two shooters, in an area known for violent drug crimes, Wc626 can reasonably suspect this was "gang" related.

I don't agree we should assume the victims are gang rivals. There's been some major drug bust in that area since 2013. One or more of the victims could have been informants or witnesses. Shooters could have hit the wrong house (common problem w/ cops & crooks alike).

Of course the victims didn't return fire. Most gang-on-gang ambushes are one-way affairs. Even white racists don't think black gangstas are stupid enough to attack a dozen armed people.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The problem is that those who demand the permission to own guns, are responsible for the fact that that permission results in children getting shot in the face at school, or mothers working three jobs to support their kids getting shot at BBQs.

People who exercise their right to not own guns don't cause any deaths on the other hand.

So they aren't equivalent.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Are you one of those people who subscribes to the idea that if something can't be fixed completely, we should do absolutely nothing about it whatsoever?

@ Strangeland: no I am not. Did I say that we should not have checks to see if one is eligible to own a gun? No I didn't. What I have said is that if one is eligible and can handle gun ownership then they should be allowed. I can understand not owning a military grade weapon, no problem limiting those. But the criminals in this case, who shot up the place aren't allowed to own guns. If you don't want to own one, then that is your right.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

you are missing the point, you still have gun related deaths.

But only 1/3 what they were before.

Are you one of those people who subscribes to the idea that if something can't be fixed completely, we should do absolutely nothing about it whatsoever?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

and after that the number of gun-related deaths dropped 2/3 since their peak in '91.

But you are missing the point, you still have gun related deaths. Of these, how many were done by criminals, the ones who normally don't obey the laws? So in effect, you want the average US citizen, who owns a gun legally, and safely for their own purposes to turn over their right to do so because those who can't follow the laws and function in society can't handle a gun properly and use them to commit crimes. So in effect you are rewarding bad behavior.

For those who say that having a gun in the home for protection is a false narrative, just today in Vicksburg, MS an escaped jail convict in jail for murder was killed by a homeowner with the homeowner's hand gun. It seems the model citizen escaped from jail after overpowering a guard with a shank, left jail and entered a home near downtown Vicksburg, and held a family hostage (husband, wife), stabbing them and tying them up. The husband was able to free himself, and find his gun which was hidden in the house and put a few rounds in his "dome" to end the hostage situation.

In this tragic case, a gun owner legally protected his family by stopping an escaped bad person who had invaded his home. So gun ownership works.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Oh dear, we're back here again :( Regardless of whether you think they were members of a gang or not, the fact that guns are so widely available in America is the reason for so many deaths - why can't you see this ? It's right in front of your face. Take Australia as an example - guns were outlawed in '96 after a mass-shooting, and after that the number of gun-related deaths dropped 2/3 since their peak in '91.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Or they could be white trash Trump supporters. Any reports of trucks parked outside?

@ SuperLib: You can do a Google search and see a video news report from the scene and see that the persons at the party are Black. So much for trying to say that this is somehow Trump's and the GOP's fault. If anything based on voting records for PA, the Black voters tend to vote Democratic.

The whole BLM thing needs to be re-evaluated. You guys blast "guns" and the mass shootings in america. But when Black shoots Black, nobody blasts guns.

I agree 100%. It's Black on Black crime that is doing the most harm and killings in Black neighborhoods than any of the police killings. Having grown up in these areas and still having roots there, I have seen the devastation that this type of violence does.

Who has backyard parties on Wed. nights? Gang bangers, who don't have to get up early the next morning to go to work -thats who.

People can try to dance around this, but that is exactly true. Nothing wrong with a get together during the week as it is done in Japan all the time after working hours. But keeping the party going in an suburban area and not a area that is a business district is normally a key that the persons hosting may not have to go to work or be someplace the next day. I enjoy getting together with friends and eating and having a good time. But as the old expression goes, "Not on a school night." I understand that people have different jobs and work rotations and one man's Wednesday is another man's weekend. But reading a story from the area, more clarification is coming in. It seems that the party was a spur of the moment thing, because the weather happened to be nice. The shootings look to be some form of retaliation for either drugs or gang related according to the local DA.

Articles posted here on JT are but a snapshot in time. As more information comes out, in later reports, one can get an idea of what may have happened. But, sadly to say even though there may be time delays with the reporting of articles here on JT, if you can spot patterns one can begin to pretty much be able to make assumptions that may come out true. This was a senseless Black on Black crime, stemming from some form of retaliation against another. I can tell you that with the gun control laws in effect, the shooters would not be able to legally own a gun. Making them illegal is not the answer since according to the DA, the beef that led to the shooting looks to be stemming from some type of issue with drug trafficking again an illegal activity.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

In more than half the cases, the victim knew their shooter. So, these cases where it’s a public shooting in a public place and it’s a stranger-on-strange crime, that doesn’t happen very much. That’s only about 15 percent of these mass killings. The vast majority are family cases. They happen inside the home. And yet we saw in killings that didn’t get the kind of publicity that the shootings where were families involved.

These are people who tend to be very determined and where there’s a will, there’s a way. Even if they have been banned from getting guns, if they have a prior record, generally, they find a way to find a weapon. In states that have the weakest gun laws, they tend to have more gun violence. And Congress is perfectly capable of doing something about it. But they choose not to. And that’s something that people should demand. They should demand action, because, unless we make changes to laws and changes to easy access for felons, domestic abusers, people that are mentally ill, we will continue to see this very high rate of gun violence.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Its sad when Blacks & Latinos shoot up each other. Its sad when a bullied white kids shoot up Columbine (other fellow white kids) for being "in" The Trenchcoat Mafia.

Its sad when cops cannot do their jobs in Black communities cause whatever they do- lo & behold- "enforce laws" might be labeled as racists. Its sad when ghettos in NYC, Detroit, Ferguson, New Orleans, LA and Chi-town have to deal with gang violence. Its nonsense. Dr Martin Luther King would be ashamed.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

PITTSBURGH — Two gunmen ambushed a backyard party near Pittsburgh on Wednesday, killing at least five people and injuring several others, police said.

Japan Today has provide great opportunity and patience in these exchanges. The facts speak for themselves and the platform for opinion is more useful than any individual poster's agenda.

Thankfully, the specific concern of an imposter presenting prejudicial statements has been adequately addressed.

Five people are dead at Pittsburgh and gun violence remains the unaddressed public safety issue in the States.

One's opinion of that can't be dictated via a comments forum. It is truly sad that some have expressed such prejudice but it can only be accepted as it is not worth the effort to parse murder into color or religion.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

It is still very troubling someone would pretend to serve the United States at Japan and post these prejudicial statements.

I've served the US all of my early adulthood. Then other US gov agencies. What have you ever contributed to the United states of America?? Or maybe u just prefer to call the usa the "great satan." Or even better, the so-called GOP Shia Tea .. . or whatever drivel you slander at us.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

But suddenly "Black Lives Matter" when cops are justified for doing their jobs. Even if it entails "shooting" Black teens or Black young male adults who are committing most crimes in the 1st place.

Agree...but in the US, it's all about blacks now. Hispanics and Asian-Americans do not matter. Blacks complain about racism in Hollywood, yet think it's OK to make some Asian racist jokes during the Oscars.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The only shield for racism is silence. The most effective protection from gun violence is appropriate regulation. It is still very troubling someone would pretend to serve the United States at Japan and post these prejudicial statements. That is the cause of real world concern, not the imaginary identities possible in public forums.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Wc626Mar. 10, 2016 - 10:37PM JST - "But suddenly "Black Lives Matter" when cops are justified for doing their jobs. Even if it entails "shooting" Black teens or Black young male adults who are committing most crimes in the 1st place."

This article reports a planned attack including a kill box design and evidence of, "Dozens of shell casings littered the pavement of an alleyway near the site, where police were gathering evidence and talking to witnesses, media reported."

The only shield for racism is silence. The racism and prejudice of blaming victims of gun violence in the States is bad enough. Pretending ones identity as an American Service Member is unconscionable.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Why not state the truth?

Exactly. Let's state the truth. Black on Black crimes have been making the headlines for years throughout America.

But suddenly "Black Lives Matter" when cops are justified for doing their jobs. Even if it entails "shooting" Black teens or Black young male adults who are committing most crimes in the 1st place.

What did obama say? (about Sandy Hook incident etc.) "It makes me angry." Why can't he say the same about Chicaco, Detroit or South Central LA? Where BBQ's, house parties and backyard parties are constantly "shot-up" by their own.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Gang members taking out their competition.

Why not state the truth? Because mass shooting sounds so much better and fits the current agenda.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Yes folks, America needs BYOG parties to stop massacres or mass shootings.

The whole BLM thing needs to be re-evaluated. You guys blast "guns" and the mass shootings in america. But when Black shoots Black, nobody blasts guns.

When a white officer shoots a violent Black teen, you slam Law Enforcement.

When a school / university campus or Mall is shot up, you blast "guns" again.

I suppose the people at that party would have lived if they'd had guns?

No. They were at the wrong place, wrong time + there had to be some drama between suspects and party-goers. The Black community is full of envy. Listen to rap music. It doesn't lie.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

Land of the free, yes. But low income people shouldn't be up all night partying in the backyard. Disturbing their neighbors who prob have to go to work in the morning.

Are you serious? Not only racist but classist... you are a nasty piece of work, mate... what's it like to live in a world of stereotypes?

I suppose the people at that party would have lived if they'd had guns? Yes folks, America needs BYOG parties to stop massacres or mass shootings. These can be extended to weddings where everyone is armed (and not just the father of the bride, lol), school concerts, football matches and beach parties. Yes, everyone should be armed... isn't that the usual mantra?

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Plus the shootings that make sense, like that four-year old who shot his mother in the back in Florida this morning while she was driving.

Good point. I saw that story too. That was irresponsibility on the mother. She needs to wear that shoe (if she's really an avid gun supporter) when she recovers.

He likely had a good reason.

LoL. Good one.

In winter on a Wed. night, it should be noted. Pittsburgh is not exactly tropical.

Exactly. Unless you're from places like CA or Florida, folks don't spark up their grills till June. Oh, but I forgot . . . it was a "backyard party" not a BBQ.

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

"Who has backyard parties on Wed. nights?"

In winter on a Wed. night, it should be noted. Pittsburgh is not exactly tropical.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Yeah. If there were no violent Hispanic and Black gangs, then 1/2 of the senseless shootings would be be gone "poof." Amazing isn't it.

Yes. Amazing. We'd be left with the other 1/2 of senseless shootings done by other races. Plus the shootings that make sense, like that four-year old who shot his mother in the back in Florida this morning while she was driving. He likely had a good reason.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

I wonder if this year's mass shootings in the U.S. can outdo 2015.

Yeah. If there were no violent Hispanic and Black gangs, then 1/2 of the senseless shootings would be be gone "poof." Amazing isn't it.

Keep crack-cocaine, meth off the streets & the number drops more. Then all we'd be worrying about are the crazies shooting up school campuses or the radical muslims shooting at cops from point blank range.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

@takeda. Don't put words in my mouth. I said " We all know Blacks are bad and nothing more."

Then what is your point? If you are not racist and you do not want to be thought of as such, you shouldn't utter racist garbage.

Filthy hip hop / gang culture.

No no, filthy gun culture. If people such as yourself didn't have such an obsession with guns, this crime likely would not have happened, and we'd aldo see far fewer school shootings and DV related shootings, but because "guns are cool!!" here we are again.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Here we go again. I wonder if this year's mass shootings in the U.S. can outdo 2015.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Black on black, black on white, white on black, white on white, brown on.....etc.

The filthy gun culture. All races can get their heads blown off. If you want to take a racial slant on it, the revolting NRA, the most powerful purveyors of this filth, tend on the whole to be....?

7 ( +12 / -5 )

@Wc626:

es. I am simply assuming they are Black because we all know blacks are bad and nothing more.

Well put, "brother!"

But low income people shouldn't be up all night partying in the backyard. Disturbing their neighbors who prob have to go to work in the morning.

Ah, so if it were rich people they can? How do you know they were poor? At any rate, maybe racist bigots should educate themselves rather thsn tell others how to live.

Again, it wasn't a BBQ, it was a "backyard party." It might've started out as a BBQ about noon. But after lots of booze and rap music, It turned into a party. Maybe rival gang members were at the party, then the other guys came to shoot them and their friends.

Or maybe you made all of that up to justify your bigotry, because NONE of that is mentioned in the story.

Happens all the time in Compton, where there are low income people throwing "backyard parties."

Yeah, because Compton is totally related to a shooting in PA. Well done.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Unless you have information we do not, Wc, you're simply assuming that they are black.

Yes. I am simply assuming they are Black based on the circumstances and nothing more.

the land o'the free where if you have a BBQ at home on a weekday you are free to be shot down in cold blood together with your family and friends.

Land of the free, yes. But low income people shouldn't be up all night partying in the backyard. Disturbing their neighbors who prob have to go to work in the morning.

Again, it wasn't a BBQ, it was a "backyard party." It might've started out as a BBQ about noon. But after lots of booze and rap music, It turned into a party. Maybe rival gang members were at the party, then the other guys came to shoot them and their friends.

Happens all the time in Compton, where there are low income people throwing "backyard parties."

http://ktla.com/2016/03/06/1-dead-10-injured-after-shooting-in-compton-sheriffs-department/

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

Wc626: Given these circumstances (many low-income people, loud music, drugs, alcohol, etc.) its reasonable to speculate the shooting was prob gang related.

Or they could be white trash Trump supporters. Any reports of trucks parked outside?

2 ( +10 / -8 )

Who said anything about a BBQ?

Other news reports are mentioning a BBQ or cookout.

Given these circumstances (many low-income people, loud music, drugs, alcohol, etc.)

Who said anything about loud music, drugs, alcohol, etc? Does low-income necessarily mean loud music, drugs and alcohol (I presume you mean drunkenness)?

According to the Guardian, a resident described the neighbourhood as 'usually quiet' - no mention of any loud music. And if there was loud music - land o'the free - playing loud music earns you an immediate death penalty?

A police spokesman says that it is not believed anyone at the party fired back. Not very on-the-ball for drug-crazed gang-bangers?

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/10/killed-injured-pittsburgh-shooting-allegheny-county

7 ( +12 / -5 )

I thought Black Lives Matter

Such disdain for fellow Americans: go ahead, insult the uniform.

It doesn't matter if the victims or perps were black, white, or pink with purple stripes. Statistically, in the same hour that these people died, three more Americans lost their lives to the steel phallus that continues indiscriminately violating lives, orphaning children, widowing spouses and bereaving friends, families and colleagues across the nation.

The gun death epidemic has to be stopped upstream. That means decisive action by leaders with moral fiber, NOT those who sold their souls to the gun industry.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Unless you have information we do not, Wc, you're simply assuming that they are black. You may be correct by coincidence, but your assumption is a naked display of your disgusting racism. Oh, and for your reference, the vast majority of mass shootings are perpetrated by white people - such as Sandy Hook. For those who choose guns over sanity, no lives matter.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

Wc626: Cleo was, I believe, responding to both comments in turn. Not surprised you missed that, really -- gun nutters tend to be a little focused on the self and obviously don't care about others at all.

"I thought Black Lives Matter."

Ah, I see -- low-income, partying with friends at night, so you assume drugs, alcohol, and that the people who shot each other are all black. Well done in proving racism is alive and well, my friend.

Anyway, even if they are black, this is just another day in the US. The mass shootings of last week were all white people, were they not?

-2 ( +10 / -12 )

Who said anything about a BBQ? The article states "backyard party." Given these circumstances (many low-income people, loud music, drugs, alcohol, etc.) its reasonable to speculate the shooting was prob gang related.

Of course nobody deserves to be shot when hanging out w/ friends anywhere, in ANY neighborhood. But it is what is. I thought Black Lives Matter.

-8 ( +7 / -15 )

Who has backyard parties on Wed. nights? Gang bangers, who don't have to get up early the next morning to go to work -thats who.

Ah yes Merka, the land o'the free where if you have a BBQ at home on a weekday you are free to be shot down in cold blood together with your family and friends.

I thought Black Lives Matter?

Yes, they do. So what's your point? That black people wouldn't get shot if only they'd stop having parties in the middle of the week? If they earned more and moved to 'better' neighbourhoods?

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

Who has backyard parties on Wed. nights? Gang bangers, who don't have to get up early the next morning to go to work -thats who.

Wilkinsburg has many lower- and middle-income residents, demographic data shows.

Black on Black crime? Probably. I thought Black Lives Matter?

-9 ( +9 / -18 )

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