Third shooting in 11 days puts city neighborhood on edge

The sun shone brightly in the city’s West End Monday morning as residents sat on their front porches, talking or surveying surrounding yards. Nothing but leaves stirred in the 600 block of Fayette Street, most of its homes well-maintained with cut lawns and planted flowers.
The tranquil morning was a sharp contrast to Sunday evening, when two unknown men opened fire near McCarrell Avenue about 6 p.m., the third shooting in the area in 11 days.
Most residents did not want to talk about the events that transpired Sunday but criticized Washington officials for not doing more to prevent criminal activity.
“Everyone has guns, and we’re not afraid to use them,” said a man who did not want to be identified. He said he and other residents are prepared to defend themselves and their homes.
On July 30, a Houston man was shot in the hand outside 630 Fayette St. The victim and the person who fired the shot, who is not being named by police because no charges will be filed, said the shooting was an accident.
The next night, a different man was shot twice at the same address.
Police Chief Chris Luppino said both the July 31 and Sunday shootings are under investigation, and a link between the two has not been ruled out. He said Sunday’s shooting appeared to be a gunfight.
“We’ve been active up in the area for a while, increasing patrols as much as we can,” Luppino said.
The West End has had the highest rate of crime in the city recently, a situation police are “acutely aware of,” Luppino said.
Mayor Brenda Davis said the Washington County Drug Task Force has been contacted about reports of drug activity in the area.
“As soon as the cops go by, shenanigans begin,” Davis said. “We need cooperation from residents in the area. When something’s going on, they need to dial 911 immediately.”
According to Luppino, several witnesses provided conflicting reports about Sunday’s shooting. He said anywhere from four to nine shots were fired, and bullet holes were found in screen doors, staircases and house siding in the 600 and 700 blocks of Fayette Street.
A witness said one of the assailants was shot, but Luppino said there was no evidence of that.
“It’s really bad,” said West End resident Betty Myers. “We can’t have kids outside. We just moved in, and it gets worse every day.”
Thomas Schneck, a member of the West End Neighborhood Crime Watch, said residents have to speak up when they see criminal activity.
“There is no reason for this shooting,” said Schneck, who has lived in the West End for almost 45 years. “What’s hurting is that no one wants to press charges.”
Schneck believes the high number of rental properties in the area has contributed to increased crimes. He urged landlords to implement stricter guidelines on their tenants and to evict those who create disturbances.
He also placed the onus on residents and asked that more people get involved in the neighborhood watch. At least three volunteers have to patrol together, which has become difficult because of older members and declining participation.
“People have got to get involved and watch their neighbors,” Schneck said.
Police impounded one vehicle that was hit by gunfire Sunday and recovered several bullet casings from the scene.
No arrests have been made, and no one has been charged. Luppino said that according to witnesses, the shooters were two men on foot.
The police chief welcomed input from residents and asked anyone with information to call the police department at 724-223-4226 and ask for a detective.