UPMC confirms two dead in Western Psychiatric Institute shooting

Two people have died, one of whom is a suspected shooter, in today’s shooting at the Western… Updated at 5 p.m.

Two people have died, one of whom is a suspected shooter, in today’s shooting at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Oakland, according to a University of Pittsburgh Medical Center press release.

The release stated that there were a total of nine victims in the shooting, including the two dead. The other seven are being treated at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, one block away from Western Psychiatric Institute.

Pitt sent out an Emergency Notification Service alert just after 2 p.m. stating that at least one shooter was active in Western Psych and multiple people had been injured.

The alert said “Lock-down recommended until further notice. If safe to do so, tell others of this message.”

Police are currently searching the building, and multiple schools in the area have responded with increased security measures. Pitt is currently on spring break, although many University buildings were open over this week.

Pitt officials did not immediately respond to requests for information about the shooting or campus security.

School officials said that Central Catholic and The Campus School of Carlow University, both about a mile from the Western Psychiatric Institute, also went on lockdown Thursday in response to news of the shooter.

Andrew Wilson, a spokesperson for Carlow University, said that he received a text message at 2:47 p.m. that said The Campus School, a day school for infants to 8th graders, would be going on lockdown.

“We’re just waiting to hear what to do next,” he said about the continuation of the lockdown until the school receives the go-ahead from police to lift it. The Campus School’s lockdown was lifted around 4 p.m. after receiving a signal from the campus police force.

Carlow’s college students are currently on spring break.

Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy, on 107 Thackery Avenue, is currently on modified lock down, according to Ebony Pugh the senior media relations manager for Pittsburgh Public Schools.

At 5 p.m. the schools remained on lockdown. Pugh said that the school had coordinated bathroom breaks for the students, and school buses remained on site to release students once the incident has cleared.

Pugh said that no one can enter or leave the school until further notification from the school police.

The school day ends at 3:20 p.m., however Pugh said that she does not know when the lock down will be lifted.

“Typically if there’s something in the community we will lock down the school to ensure the students are safe,” she said.

Check out pittnews.com and twitter.com/thepittnews as more information becomes available.