Strip District Violence Causes Worry

Mace Was Used To Subdue Suspect

UPDATED: 6:04 p.m. EDT October 18, 2000

Another incident of violence in the city's nightclub district has landed one man in jail and three police officers in local hospitals.


	Officer Describes The Scene

Pittsburgh Police were called to Bar Pittsburgh on Smallman Street in the Strip District at about 8:15 p.m. Tuesday when a man began harrassing a bouncer who would not let him enter the club.

The man reportedly began fighting with the officers and was subdued with mace. He was taken to Allegheny County Jail, where he remained Wednesday morning.

One officer suffered a broken arm during the altercation, while two others required medical treatment for injuries resulting from the mace. The suspect also required medical treatment for minor injuries.

The names of those involved have not been released. WTAE-TV reports that two of the officers were from Zone 2, while the other was a traffic officer.

Meanwhile, a man is recovering after being shot in the face Monday morning outside another nightclub farther down Smallman.

Jamoor Mathis, 22, of Crafton Heights, was treated for the injury at Allegheny General Hospital and released. Akiy Jackson, 23, of Clairton, was arrested and charged in the shooting, which occurred in a parking lot outside Donzi's.

Earlier this year, two men were killed in a shooting outside Banana Joe's, which is also located on Smallman. Allegheny County Coroner Cyril Wecht has recommended that charges should not be filed against police in that incident.

Allegheny County District Attorney Steven Zappala said Monday that specifics of a plan to deal with violence in the Strip will be announced in a few weeks.

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