Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers from Zone 5 responded to a call for a well-being check on a male military veteran in the 5400 block of Broad Street just after 10:00 p.m. on May 25.

The male’s family told police he had not been eating or sleeping and were concerned he was suicidal. Officers also received information from the VA Hospital that the male had violent tendencies.

When officers arrived on scene the male was standing on the front porch of a residence in an open doorway, holding an aggressive pit bull on a leash.

The male was completely unresponsive to any attempts at verbal engagement by officers, instead staring at them in a catatonic-type state. 

Members of the Pittsburgh Police SWAT Team and Tactical Negotiations Team were sent in to try to establish communications and convince the male to safely exit the residence. Officers attempted face-to-face negotiations with him in his doorway for more than three hours, but were unsuccessful.

At approximately 1:10 a.m., a flash bang device was deployed to momentarily divert the male’s attention and subdue him. He was transported by tactical paramedics to Western Psych for a full evaluation.

Animal Control was on hand to take temporary possession of the dog.