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Shooting Suspect in Custody Following Standoff
Woman shot multiple times; suspect fired at police officers
By Staff Reports
The Tube City Almanac
September 05, 2023
Posted in: Crime and Police News
This is a developing story and is subject to change
A city man is in custody after an hours-long standoff with police at his home on Pirl Street.
Michael P. Plopi, 42, is charged by Allegheny County police with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm and was awaiting arraignment on Tuesday morning, court officials said.
Plopi surrended to police early Tuesday morning following a standoff that began about 7:30 p.m. Monday after officers allege that he shot his girlfriend during an argument, then fired on first responders who were called to the scene. The victim's name has not yet been released by police.
Emergency personnel said McKeesport police were dispatched to Plopi's home in the 1200 block of Pirl Street near Versailles Avenue on Monday evening after a ShotSpotter device detected gunshots in the area.
Police arrived to find a woman outside of a home, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers came to her aid, police said, only to have someone inside the house begin firing at them. Officers pulled the woman to safety and she was taken to UPMC Presbyterian hospital. Her condition was not immediately available but she was said to be “conscious and alert” at the scene.
Emergency responders said the victim suffered wounds to her leg, hands and torso.
Plopi is accused of barricading himself in the house with another person and refusing to come outside, police said.
The Allegheny County police special weapons and tactics team responded along with police from surrounding jurisdictions, emergency personnel said. Police determined that the suspect in the shooting was barricaded inside the home with another adult.
After repeated calls for the suspect to surrender went unanswered, witnesses said SWAT officers used smoke grenades, tear gas and so-called “flash-bang” devices to force the shooter to surrender.
Dozens of police officers were present on the scene, including law enforcement from surrounding municipalities as well as county police and state troopers.
Versailles Avenue was closed for several blocks around the shooting scene. Residents were asked to avoid the area if at all possible.
Police said Plopi surrendered at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday.
Originally published September 05, 2023.
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