Mayor, Police Chief Comment On PNC Park Incident

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- City officials are commenting publicly for the first time about the altercation between a fan and two police officers at PNC Park over the weekend.

The police criminal complaint says 41-year-old Scott Ashley refused to leave section 235 of the park for unruly conduct. Police say as he left, he began the confrontation that went around the world on the internet.

"I've had discussions with our public safety director and the chief and of course their in the process of reviewing it," Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said. "They're the experts, they understand what is proper protocol and I'm waiting for them to report back to me."

"We feel at this time that the officers were in compliance with our rules and regulations and we'll go from there after the review of the incident is done," Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper said.

While police and the Citizen Review Board complete their investigations, the public is forming their own opinion as the video surpasses 350,000 views on YouTube.

"I know firsthand that people take bits and pieces of what you say and interpret it in the way that they want to interpret it," Ravenstahl said. "So, we will make a decision based on all of the information – both the video as well as what happened before the video was taken and I think that's important."

The two police officers involved remain on the job and will do so until the probe is complete.

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