Pittsburgh Mass Shooting: A week later, the neighborhood continues to heal

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A week ago today, a community at an Airbnb party experienced a rude awakening to gunfire.

Easter Sunday went from a holiday to a day of mourning for the East Allegheny neighborhood.

As Matthew Steffy-Ross and Jaiden Brown both teenagers died during the mass shooting, which some of the partygoers said was meant to be a spring break celebration.

Councilman Bobby Wilson, representing the area, said there was still room for healing.

“There were several discussions, there was a bigger event on the north side to really talk about what we can do for youth and how individuals are fighting in their own communities,” he said.

More than 90 gunshots were sprayed in and around the Airbnb building, according to the Pittsburgh Police Department.

So far there has been no word on suspects, arrests or a possible motive – a worrying update for neighbors.

“A lot of people have asked what the city can do, what the county can do,” Wilson said.

As they wait for answers, Wilson says his job is to get the community back on track and bring everyone together.

“While we can do something local, a bigger effort really needs to be made,” he said. “Coordination between the city, DHS, public safety, gang violence intervention. Just to really understand and try to work towards some resilience for this community as well.”

Wilson said more trauma and violence prevention meetings will be held for community residents in the coming weeks and months.

Police are continuing to investigate and are asking for information to be reported.