FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 29, 2023
DISTRICT ATTORNEY ZAPPALA DETERMINES USE OF DEADLY FORCE BY CITY POLICE JUSTIFIED
PITTSBURGH — District Attorney, Stephen A. Zappala, Jr., and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office announced on Sept. 29, 2023, that the use of deadly force by the City of Pittsburgh Police was justified in the case of Adrienne Arrington.
The incident occurred on Feb. 24, 2023, in the Allentown neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Police were called to the scene to investigate possible trespassing in an abandoned house on Engstler St. After ignoring several police commands to exit the structure, the suspect, later identified as Arrington, fired a gunshot. Officers proceeded to take cover and call for backup. Several moments and shots later, Arrington exited the house, directing a gun at officers. In response, officers fired upon Arrington, which resulted in her death.
“In evaluating a police officer’s actions, the most important thing is to determine whether or not the officers’ actions were taken in response to a legitimate and compelling threat,” said DA Zappala, in the most recent video briefing.
The details of the case are explained further by DA Zappala in the video briefing which discusses the evidence that was used to reach this determination.
“Our police are trained to protect our community, and they are prepared to respond to deadly force with deadly force,” said DA Zappala in the video.
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The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office serves a population of approximately 1.2 million people and is one of the largest jurisdictions in the United States of America at 740 sq. miles. It employs over 200 employees, including over 100 attorneys, detectives, crime scene analysts and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office serves as the Chief Law Enforcement Office of the county and accepts referrals from more than 100 active police departments including the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Allegheny County Police Department and the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department. For more information, visit alleghenycountyda.us.
Communications Department
Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office