A Pittsburgh man, identified as William Hardison, has died following an intense standoff with law enforcement after being served an eviction notice.
The incident, which involved the exchange of "hundreds of rounds," lasted for several hours before authorities announced Hardison's death.
The situation unfolded on the 4800 block of Broad Street and North Mathilda Street in Pittsburgh's Garfield neighborhood. Residents reported hearing a barrage of gunfire, with some describing it as sounding like "hundreds of rounds." As a result, officers began evacuating people from the area, instructing those in their homes to shelter in place.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Pittsburgh Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security, swiftly responded to the scene. They brought an armored vehicle and specialized equipment to aid in their efforts to apprehend Hardison.
The standoff continued for hours, marked by intermittent bursts of gunfire as both sides awaited an opportunity to make a move. Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus expressed surprise at the situation, stating, "We certainly didn't expect this. We had no information whatsoever that this individual was this dangerous or that there were firearms in this house."
Mayor Ed Gainey issued a statement expressing gratitude to law enforcement for ensuring the safety of residents during the incident. He referred to the situation as an unfortunate tragedy.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, friends of Hardison revealed that he was a veteran and considered himself a sovereign citizen. He had been grappling with mental health issues and had recently been diagnosed with cancer.
Hardison had been squatting in the home, which was previously owned by his brother, until it was purchased by 907 East Street LLC in March. In May, he received an eviction notice informing him of the company's plans to renovate and sell the property.
The circumstances surrounding Hardison's death have not been disclosed by authorities. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge in due course.
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