Pitt to reject thousands from fitness center killer’s estate

The University “has no interest” in receiving nearly $225,000 from the estate of an alumnus… The University “has no interest” in receiving nearly $225,000 from the estate of an alumnus who killed three women and wounded nine others before shooting himself earlier this month, according to one spokesman.

Pitt alumnus George Sodini opened fire in an LA Fitness Center in Collier Township, about 20 minutes southwest of the city, on Aug. 4, in a murder-suicide that made national headlines.

“We believe that any available funds should benefit Mr. Sodini’s victims and members of their families,” Vice Chancellor of Public Affairs Robert Hill said in a statement. “We at Pitt will do what we can to assist them in receiving any funds that have been bequeathed to Pitt.”

At least two women who were wounded in the shooting — Ashley Ferragonio and Lisa Fleeher — filed notices in Allegheny County Court almost two weeks ago saying they intend to sue Sodini’s estate.

Their lawyer, Henry Sneath, filed additional documents in court last week requesting more information to prepare for the trial.

He asked the Collier Township Police Department, the Allegheny County medical examiner and the county police department’s homicide division to send him a copy of all documents pertaining to the shooting in the Great Southern Shopping Center.

Their lawyer also filed a subpoena requesting any documents LA Fitness Center has that deal with the shooting. This could include, but is not limited to, surveillance footage, diagrams of the center and its electrical schematic, any records regarding Sodini or his membership and a list of all employees and their titles, as well as copies of employee training materials.

Continue to follow The Pitt News for coverage of the lawsuit involving Sodini’s estate.