A man accused of assaulting a woman outside a Shadyside apartment building and shooting her dog on Friday had told the woman earlier in the day that he wanted to kill himself, Allegheny County Police say in court records.
County police say Lamar Reddick, 38, of Pittsburgh also brandished and pointed a firearm at two bystanders, who had told Reddick to let go of the woman.
A responding Pittsburgh police officer fired several rounds at Reddick, who ran toward the main entrance of Centre Tower Apartments on Centre Avenue, where he was arrested, police said.
While no people were hit by gunfire, the woman’s dog was shot through the neck and in its left rear leg and later died.
The woman suffered several injuries to her head and neck. She was taken to UPMC Shadyside hospital in stable condition, according to police.
In a criminal complaint against Reddick, county police say they pieced together what happened by interviewing the woman, the bystanders, and two other witnesses who saw what happened and recorded video.
Interviewed in the back of an ambulance, the woman told a detective that she had told Reddick to seek help at an emergency room when he told her on the phone earlier in the day that he wanted to kill himself, according to the complaint.
As she was returning home from walking her dog, the woman told police she saw Reddick standing outside her apartment building. She said Reddick grabbed her, threw her to the ground and said, “I’m going to shoot you in the face,” and “I’m going to shoot your dog.”
The woman said she heard several gunshots, and that Reddick kicked, shoved and strangled her, the complaint states.
The first bystander told police he heard shouting and commotion coming from Centre Avenue and saw a man, Reddick, assaulting a woman.
After telling Reddick to take his hands off the woman, the bystander told police that Reddick brandished a firearm from his waistband and pointed it at them. The bystander retreated backward and hid behind cover, and heard gunfire before fleeing the area.
The second bystander, who was with the first person, told police that Reddick fired one shot at the woman, then began to pull her across the street. After yelling at Reddick to get off of the woman, the second bystander said Reddick pointed his gun directly at them while they were about 20 feet apart, according to the complaint.
The two witnesses recorded videos from their windows, the first after hearing a commotion and the second after hearing a gunshot, the complaint states.
In a video provided by the first witness, Reddick is seen holding a handgun and pointing it at the woman’s leashed dog, the complaint states. He is holding onto the woman by her jacket collar, and she is heard begging for help.
In the second witness’ video, Reddick is also seen shooting several times at the dog and then firing several shots at the woman.
He’s seen throwing the gun down on the sidewalk and running toward the front of the building and laying on the ground, where police take him into custody, the complaint states.
A 9mm handgun and nine spent 9mm shell casings were recovered in front of Centre Tower Apartments. A second 9mm handgun was found on the sidewalk across the street.
Six spent 9mm shell casings were recovered from Centre Avenue near Chalfont Apartments behind a Pittsburgh police vehicle.
County police charged Reddick with attempted homicide; three counts of aggravated assault; terroristic threats; aggravated cruelty to animals; unlawful restraint; recklessly endangering another person; and strangulation.
He was arraigned Saturday, denied bail and sent to the Allegheny County Jail, according to court records. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7.
