Police said a large party was being held at an Airbnb when the shootings broke out.
Pittsburgh Public Safety
Two minors were killed early Sunday after shots were fired at a large party held at an Airbnb rental in Pittsburgh, according to reports. blotter city police. At least nine others are being treated for gunshot wounds and other injuries.
Police said they were called around 12:30 a.m. to a house party attended by up to 200 people, some of whom were underage.
“Up to 50 rounds were fired inside, causing several partygoers to jump out of windows, sustaining injuries such as broken bones and lacerations. Several other shots were fired outside the home,” police said. know. Many young people on foot and in cars fled the area.
The department is processing evidence at eight separate crime scenes, it said. No arrests have been reported to date and no suspects were immediately identified. The names of the two young men who died were not immediately released.
Airbnb said it has contacted the city’s police department and the mayor’s office to help with the investigation. The guest who placed the listing has been given a permanent ban from the platform, and the company is “considering all legal options” to hold the person accountable.
“Airbnb strictly prohibits parties, and we condemn the behavior that allegedly perpetrated this criminal gun violence,” Airbnb spokesman Ben Breit said in an emailed statement. He added that it was an unauthorized party, held without the consent or knowledge of the host.
Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms have struggled with so-called party organizers, where users rent listings to host just one party. Airbnb put a ban on the party house and debut some safety features in 2019 after five people were killed in a shooting at one of its orders.
However, due to the way these companies operate, it is not always possible for them to stop the parties from happening. Sometimes guests can check-in the property remotely while the owner is away and can invite as many people as they want.
