As of early Sunday, a Pennsylvania State police trooper said there is "no motive, no reason" that authorities are aware of for a mass shooting early Sunday in Fayette County.
Authorities originally said five people were dead — three men and two women — and a sixth person injured, but they subsequently told WPXI that the original count included the shooter, who is on life support but not expected to live.
State police tell us FOUR people were shot and killed in Melcroft, Fayette County. 1 female survived by hiding in a vehicle. Police earlier counted shooter, 28-yr-old Timothy O’Brien Smith as the 5th fatality, but he is on life support. Not expected to survive.
— Erin Clarke (@ErinClarkeWPXI) January 28, 2018
The shooting happened just before 3 a.m. along Route 711, also known as Indian Creek Valley Road, in Saltlick Township near Melcroft Road - at Ed's Car Wash, across the street from G&D Market and beside Ridgeline Heating and Cooling.
Those who are dead died of gunshot wounds, according to Trooper Robert Broadwater of the state police barracks in Uniontown. He said it is unclear at this point whether the sixth victim sustained gunshot wounds.
A state police detective at the scene and who asked that he not be named said a man is suspected in the shooting. He said it’s unclear whether the suspect is dead or alive, but said he had been shot. The detective said it is unclear whether the suspect shot himself.
The detective also confirmed that the suspect was wearing body armor.
The scene early today was chaotic as family members arrived on scene. Trooper Broadwater said no one had been officially notified by police because there is no official confirmation of the victims. But word has spread through this small rural community in Fayette County near Seven Springs resort.
Jenna Porterfield of Connellsville said she is the wife of one of the victims, William Scott Porterfield, 29.
Trooper Broadwater said four people died at the scene Sunday and a fifth person died at the hospital. The sixth victim remains hospitalized. Of those who died at the scene, two died inside a vehicle and two were outside in a parking lot at the car wash.
Asked whether the shootings appeared to be related to a drug deal gone bad, Trooper Broadwater said, "There is no indication of drug activity at this point. But we have no motive, no reason."
Authorities have towed three vehicles from the scene. One is a red pick-up truck, one is a sedan, one is a green pick-up truck. Two of the victims were found inside the green pick-up truck, according to Trooper Broadwater.
First Published: January 28, 2018, 2:28 p.m.
Updated: January 28, 2018, 4:48 p.m.
