Morning Roundup: 1 injured in Homewood West shooting; Hartwood Acres brush fire under investigation

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, April 24:

1 injured in Homewood West shooting

One person was injured and two others were detained after a shooting Tuesday in Pittsburgh’s Homewood West neighborhood.

Police responded to a one-round ShotSpotter alert in the 6900 block of Frankstown Avenue around 2:20 p.m., officials said. As officers were on their way to the scene, dispatchers notified them of a possible victim.

Police found a man in the first-floor lobby of an apartment building with an apparent graze wound across his stomach, according to public safety officials. Medics took him to the hospital in stable condition.

Detectives responded and processed the scene.

Patrol officers canvassing the area located a vehicle they suspected was involved in the incident, officials said. Police detained a man and a woman after a felony traffic stop on Interstate 376. The pair were taken to police headquarters.

The investigation is ongoing.

3 Wilkinsburg homes damaged by fire

Three Wilkinsburg homes were damaged by fire Tuesday night.

The blaze was reported a little after 10 p.m. on the 1200 block of Morrow Street.

Pittsburgh Deputy Fire Chief Mark Gasiorowski told TribLive news partner WTAE there were some challenges in fighting the blaze, which started with one house and spread to the houses on each side of it.

“We couldn’t get our aerial apparatus into position because of the narrow streets, so we had to throw the ground ladders by hand and that limited us to water from the ground,” Gasiorowski said. “Only with a fire of this size, usually we elevate the streams to attack it from above, but that wasn’t an option here.”

Four people were displaced, WTAE reported. The Red Cross was contacted to help a family that lost everything in the flames.

Brush fire in Hartwood Acres under investigation

A fire broke out Tuesday afternoon along a trail in Hartwood Acres Park in Hampton Township.

Allegheny County police were notified of the brush fire at 2:18 p.m., officials said.

The fire grew to about 100 by 100 yards, police said, before fire crews could get the blaze under control. Multiple fire departments responded.

The Allegheny County Fire Marshal will investigate the origin and cause of the fire.

Reward offered as county sheriff’s office seeks wanted man

The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday announced it is actively searching for a man who is wanted on a violation of his bond.

The sheriff’s office said Hermas Craddock, 37, of Verona is considered armed and dangerous.

A $1,000 reward is offered for information that leads to his arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s warrant desk at 412-350-4714.

Craddock last week led state police on a high-speed chase that began in O’Hara, sped through Aspinwall and Sharpsburg and ended in Pittsburgh.

State police said Craddock was under the influence of drugs when he was driving recklessly without a valid driver’s license. He reached speeds of up to 80 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone, drove on curbs and disregarded multiple red lights and stop signs, according to a criminal complaint.

During the case, troopers said Craddock nearly rammed his vehicle into two patrol cars. Police also said Craddock was seen throwing a firearm out the window of the Jeep Wagoneer he was driving.

Police ultimately found him inside an apartment at Harriet Tubman Terrace where his uncle lives. Officials said he was found with a baggie of marijuana, two firearms, rounds of ammunition and magazines.

Craddock is facing multiple charges, including assault of a law enforcement officer, marijuana possession, driving without a valid license and other traffic offenses.

According to court records, he was released without bail after a preliminary arraignment April 10 before District Judge Xander Orenstein.

Coroner ID’s body found inside abandoned Aliquippa building

The coroner’s office has identified the body found inside an abandoned building in Aliquippa last week.

Ri’Kiah Griffie, 25, of Aliquippa was named as the victim, according to TribLive news partner WTAE.

Pennsylvania State Police last week said the remains were found in the area of 5th Avenue.

Coroner David Gabauer did not immediately release additional details.

State police are investigating.

Duquesne Heights gets traffic-calming infrastructure

Traffic-calming efforts were installed in Pittsburgh’s Duquesne Heights neighborhood last week, Mayor Ed Gainey’s office announced Tuesday.

Construction started last week on Shaler Street, where crews will install speed tables and improved pedestrian crossings with high-visibility crosswalks. Permanent signage and pavement markings will alert motorists of the new traffic calming measures.

“As part of our objective to reach zero traffic deaths, that project will ensure the safety of all that call Duquesne Heights home,” Gainey said in a statement. “We’re working on making safe neighborhoods and traffic calming is a piece of the puzzle.”

Data gathered in 2021 showed more than 70% of vehicles traveling on Shaler Street were driving faster than the 25 mph posted speed limit. About 85% were driving at 32 miles per hour, according to the mayor’s office.

The administration recently announced it was doubling down on the city’s efforts to reduce fatal car crashes.

Riverview Park becomes 3rd Pittsburgh park certified as arboretum

Pittsburgh’s Riverview Park this month was recognized as a nationally certified arboretum.

It becomes the city’s third park to receive the designation, following Mellon Park and Westinghouse Park.

Riverview Park, located on the city’s North Side, was certified by the ArbNET Arboretum Accreditation Program and the Morton Arboretum. The accreditation means the park has maintained nationally-recognized standards for arboreta and botanic gardens, city officials said in a statement.

“It’s evident that residents in every Pittsburgh neighborhood have a love and appreciation of our city’s trees,” said Lisa Ceoffe, who serves as city forester in the Department of Public Works.