Atwood shooting critically wounds student

Lights and sirens lined Atwood Street Friday night, beginning Oakland’s extended weekend… Lights and sirens lined Atwood Street Friday night, beginning Oakland’s extended weekend with a shot of violence.

Matthew A. Napper, a 22-year-old history major at Pitt, was reportedly shot in his side just before 2 a.m. on the 300 block of Atwood Street.

Napper was in critical condition at the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital yesterday morning, but hospital officials are not releasing updated information concerning his condition at this time.

Friends of the Delta Tau Delta brother said his condition is improving.

“He’s doing good,” friend and roommate Adam Metz said Monday afternoon. “They were able to take him off of some of the machines already.”

Delta Tau Delta brother and Student Government Board member Todd Brandon Morris added that Napper is now breathing on his own, as well. While many of the brothers have tried to visit, they have been unsuccessful. Only family members are permitted to see him at this time.

The shooting occurred while Napper was visiting the Central Oakland neighborhood. Delta Tau Delta President Ryan Dean said an altercation had broken out near 350 Atwood St., leading Napper and a few others to try to diffuse the situation. One of the men directly involved in the argument pulled a gun and fired an undetermined number of shots toward the group. One ricocheted off of the ground and into Napper’s side, Dean said.

“We all know it can get a little crazy there,” he added. “I guess it was just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Napper was found on the porch of 350 Atwood St., at approximately 1:50 a.m.

The alleged shooter is a thin, black man in his 20s. The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported yesterday that police believe he was wearing a baseball cap and glasses and driving a black Acura coupe.

One of the major streets in Central Oakland, Atwood Street is just blocks from Pitt’s campus, and Pitt students occupy many of the houses and apartments on the street. With restaurants such as Mad Mex, Maggie’s Mercantile, Spice Cafe and India Garden, the street is a popular area on Friday and Saturday nights.

The events of Friday night didn’t go unnoticed by those around the area. Student William Neal Hamilton was a late observer of the aftermath. Taking a late night walk, he and a friend noticed a house with police tape almost completely blocking the road and all around the house.

He recalled six or seven police cars surrounding the area, while the people around the scene appeared to know what had happened and were visibly upset. He said a young woman was on her cell phone, crying and telling a friend about the shooting, while others just stood in wonder at the events that had unfolded in front of them.

“People silently gathered outside of the other parties on the porches,” he said. “They were just sort of watching the police.”

Napper’s shooting has concerned many, ranging from his fraternity brothers to his fellow students and Oakland residents.

“We are all obviously very concerned,” Dean said, speaking on behalf of Delta Tau Delta. “This is one of our brothers that we’ve known for a long time. We can’t go visit him, but there is a lot of support from the Greek community and our alumni. We are keeping him in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.”

Anyone with information concerning the shooting is encouraged to notify Pittsburgh Police at 412-323-7800.