Woman, Children Found In Home After Officers Return Fire, Wounding Armed Suspect

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The suspect in an officer-involved shooting in Crafton Heights is now facing a long list of charges as he remains in the hospital after being critically injured.

Allegheny County Police have charged 31-year-old Issa Abdus-Salaam with aggravated assault, simple assault, unlawful restraint and recklessly endangering another person.

It all started around 10:40 p.m. Wednesday when officers were called to an apartment in the 1600 block of Crucible Street for reports of a domestic disturbance.

"We weren't as concerned until we started seeing all the cars go by and everything, and we heard a lot of yelling and screaming just before the police cars came," said Ashley Drey, who lives nearby.

County police said the officers heard gunshots from inside the home and immediately set up a perimeter.

According to police, the suspect then appeared in the front door and fired multiple shots at the officers.

"When they arrived, they heard gunshots, muffled gunshots emanating from inside the home," said Allegheny County Police Insp. Andrew Schurman. "They immediately started to set up a perimeter, at which time the male stepped out and begin firing at the officers."

Police say one officer then returned fire and struck the suspect at least once in the abdomen.

Allegheny County Police say during the entire incident a woman and two children were inside the home. They were not injured.

"Both the female and the two children were uninjured," said Insp. Schurman.

Salaam was taken to a local hospital for treatment. At last report, he was in critical condition. He is expected to survive.

Allegheny County Police are investigating.

Pittsburgh Police said the officer who fired the shot was placed on administrative leave pending a full investigation.