PITTSBURGH, PA – The Allegheny County Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday in the South Side Slopes neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Police responded to a ShotSpotter notification of seven shots fired in the 1900 block of Huron Street at 1:38 am.
Upon arrival, an officer encountered 26-year-old Austyn Cousins outside a residence near his vehicle. Cousins initially complied with the officer’s directives and informed the officer of firearms in his vehicle’s trunk, which was open at the time.
Moments later, Cousins moved towards the trunk, and despite warnings from the officer, reached into it, prompting the officer to discharge his firearm, striking Cousins multiple times. Cousins was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Detectives have since obtained search warrants for Cousins’ vehicle and residence, discovering two rifles in the vehicle’s trunk and several bullet holes and additional firearms in the residence. The Pittsburgh Police will determine the status of the involved officer following their internal policies and procedures.