PITTSBURGH \u2014 A man is in custody after police say he attacked a woman, ran over a construction worker with a vehicle and pepper-sprayed another.<\/p>\n
The incident took place on the 2700 block of Lowrie Street in Troy Hill in Pittsburgh, on Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Police say a man, identified as 33-year-old Matthew Dougherty, was hitting a woman outside of a house during a domestic dispute. <\/p>\n
A group of workers was outside the house jackhammering on the street at this time. In the midst of the assault, the man eventually confronted the group, pulled what appeared to be a gun on them and asked about a permit. <\/p>\n
Police said the workers were able to de-escalate the situation.<\/p>\n
Police said the man then went back to assaulting the woman at the home. A worker then stepped in to try to intervene in the assault. Police say the suspect pulled out what looked like a gun, but it had an orange tip and was later identified as pepper spray, and used it against the woman who was trying to intervene. <\/p>\n
He also used the pepper spray against the original victim attacked in the domestic assault.<\/p>\n
Officers said the suspect then got into his Kia and ran over a construction worker. That man is in serious condition and police said he is the husband of the employee who tried to break up the domestic situation.<\/p>\n
The suspect dumped the vehicle about a mile away from the scene, where police later found it. He then circled back to the house on foot, where officers took him into custody.<\/p>\n
Police said they found a gun and the pepper spray at the house.<\/p>\n
Officers had reportedly responded to the same house for reports of a domestic violence call a few weeks ago. Neighbors said police are a frequent sight at the residence.<\/p>\n
Dougherty previously pleaded guilty to creating a public hazard. The details of the hazard were not immediately available.<\/p>\n
At 3:15 p.m., a spokesperson for Pittsburgh Water confirmed two of their contracted employees were involved in the incident. They were working on a water main line replacement project. A spokesperson said: <\/p>\n
\u201cPittsburgh Water is aware of a serious incident involving two contracted employees working on a water main replacement project in Troy Hill this afternoon. <\/p>\n
\u201cBoth individuals were transported for medical evaluation following the incident. Police have apprehended an individual in connection with the matter. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe safety of everyone working on Pittsburgh Water projects is our highest priority. We are deeply concerned for the workers involved and are working with the contractor to gather additional information and support the crew. <\/p>\n
\u201cBecause the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation, we will defer questions about what occurred, the arrest, and any potential criminal charges to law enforcement.\u201d <\/p>\n
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