A gun battle between two males left one dead and another wounded Sunday afternoon near a playground in New Kensington, according to authorities.
The shooting was reported at 12:01 p.m. about a half-block away from the city’s police department in the courtyard of an apartment complex, authorities said.
Crime-scene tape encircled the JFK playground and a portion of the grounds surrounding Valley Royal Court along Fourth Avenue between 11th Street and Hileman Drive while investigators went door to door seeking witnesses.
A police K-9 unit also was combing the area of the shooting for evidence.
Police investigate a fatal shooting Sunday afternoon at Valley Royal Court in New Kensington. @VNDNews @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/bzblgyoCsE
— Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) April 23, 2023
No information was available about the ages of the people involved or the condition of the person who was wounded.
A group of residents who gathered in the lobby of the Central Tower apartment building across the street from the shooting scene said they came down to see what was happening after hearing gunshots ring out.
The residents said none of them witnessed the shooting.
The office of Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli issued a news release after the shooting.
“We would like to reassure the public there is no threat to the community,” the release said. “The scene is contained, and this was an isolated incident. This remains an active investigation.”
