PITTSBURGH

Pennsylvania Garbage Collector Gunned Down Before His Shift

The Allegheny County medical examiner has identified a Pittsburgh garbage collector who was gunned down as began his shift.

Monday's shooting occurred about 7 a.m. as 29-year-old Omar Hodges waited in a car for his crew to pick him up for work. He was parked in an area where refuse employees waited to begin their shifts.

Garbage collection was scheduled normally despite the Columbus Day holiday, which closed state and federal courts and some other government offices. Public safety spokeswoman Sonya Toler says the victim had worked for the city since January 2013.

Police were searching for a car they believed was involved in the shooting. Officials didn't immediately say whether they believed the worker was the target of the shooting, or whether he was struck by shots intended for another target.

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