Grandmother Caught In Gunfire While Sitting On Front Porch, Wounded
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ALIQUIPPA (KDKA) -- Police in Beaver County say an innocent bystander, sitting on her porch, was shot Thursday afternoon when gunfire rang out in Aliquippa.
Officers were quick to respond to the scene after reports of gunfire just after 5 p.m. in the 1800 block of Main Street.
The woman who was wounded lives in the home with her daughter and granddaughter. Police said she was not the intended target, but someone nearby was.
One of the bullets struck the woman in the ankle as she sat in a plastic lawn chair on her front porch, another bullet struck her front door.
Marlene Kwiatanowski, who knew the victim and lives nearby, said, "It's crazy, it's crazy. I mean, a block away. My 3-year-old grandson and I were playing. This woman is 65-years old. It's just ridiculous."
NEW: Aliquippa Police questioning suspects after woman sitting on her Main St. porch was shot and wounded.
Target of shooter was nearby. pic.twitter.com/wTxG2dKbVg— Ralph Iannotti (@IannottiRalph) October 12, 2017
Another neighbor, Matt Smith, who lives next door to the grandmother, told KDKA-TV's Ralph Iannotti, "I'm sad, sad for my neighbor. My prayers go out to her. My prayers go out to the city. It's nuts around here anymore."
Police were checking surveillance cameras in the area, and trying to find witnesses to the shooting. They said there was no question that the wounded woman was an innocent bystander.
"It's broad daylight, it's after school, there's lot of kids playing around, there's neighbors outside, this is uncalled for," Aliquippa Police Chief Dan Couch said. "Thank God, we have identified suspects."
Police said while the woman's injuries were not life threatening, there was concern because she had other medical conditions, as well.
One neighbor said he knew immediately that bullets were flying next door.
"Oh, it was gunfire, [I heard] all right. You live in this neighborhood long enough, and you know the difference between firecrackers and gunshots," Smith said.
Police said they were making progress in the investigation, but, there were no arrests as of late Thursday night.
