UPDATE: Multiple People Shot in Oakland at Western Psych, Two Dead

Multiple news sources are reporting this afternoon that several people were shot on the University of Pittsburgh campus after a gunman went into Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC.

Police were dispatched to the incident around 2 p.m., according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In a press conference at 6 p.m., Mayor Luke Ravenstahl confirmed two people are dead and seven people were rushed to UPMC Presbyterian's Emergency Room. 

He also confirmed one of the deceased men as the shooter. Pittsburgh police believe one gunman entered the building with two semiautomatic handguns, he said. 

"It's still an active scene," Ravenstahl said. "Our crews are methodically going through the building to make sure every floor and every room is clear."

Chief of Emergency Medicine Dr. Don Yealy also addressed the press.

"Two of the seven patients were evaluated and released," he said. "The remaining patients will be admitted and will require operations within the next 12 to 24 hours.

"I believe all to survive and do well."

Yealy credited trauma physicians, social workers and nurses for acting promptly in such a narrow time interval. Ravenstahl commended Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh police, and the city's Public Safety Department, for their heroism and acting so swiftly. He also expressed appreciation to Western Psych employees for assisting law enforcement. 

Claudia Roth, president of Western Psych, said a number of staff wanted to stay to help this afternoon. She said exceptional care for the 289 patients will continue, and that the staff plans to do a thorough review of safety in the building. 

"Safety and security is of our utmost concern," she said. 

resident Jason McDonald works in Oakland at Benedum Hall near the scene. He said police told people in his building to stay away from the windows on the first floor. He also said he saw police escorting 20 to 30 people out of the front door from Western Psych.

A hotline has been established by Pittsburgh police for those worried about patients, relatives, belongings, etc. at Western Psych. The number to call is 412-623-7724.

An investigation is ongoing and a coroner's report is to be expected.

Do you work in Oakland? Leave your observations, comments or concerns below.

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