75 Pittsburgh-Area Officers on Leave After Massive Standoff, Shootout

Dozens of Pittsburgh-area officers are on leave after a shootout and standoff that lasted more than six hours and in which thousands of shots were fired in the city's Garfield neighborhood last Wednesday. The standoff ended when the suspect was discovered to be dead.

Pittsburgh police said 47 of their officers are on administrative leave per protocol. The majority of personnel affected are SWAT officers. The city's law enforcement partners are covering any tactical incidents. 

Police Chief Larry Scirotto said at a news conference Thursday that the officers will go through a process to make sure they're in an "emotional state of mind" before they can return in a few days, KDKA reports.

Sixteen deputies from the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office are also on leave. The shootout  started when deputies went to the home on Broad Street to serve an eviction notice. Allegheny County Police Superintendent Chris Kearns said 12 of their officers are on leave as well. 

The Pennsylvania State Police are handling the investigation. Usually when Pittsburgh police are involved in a shooting, they're investigated by Allegheny County police, per protocol. But since county police were also involved, state police are investigating, Scirotto said.