Pittsburgh Police have determined that the October 3 shooting outside Lucky’s in the Strip District was not motivated by bias and that the longtime LGBTQ bar was not targeted because of its connection to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Commander Eric Baker, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police LGBTQIA+ Liaison, provided the update Monday following continued investigation by the bureau’s Violent Crime Division. Baker had previously cautioned against drawing conclusions about a motive while detectives were still establishing the facts.
“The investigation has now progressed to the point that we can provide the community with this additional clarity,” Baker said. He acknowledged the concern that violence outside a longstanding LGBTQ establishment can create, adding that concerns about potential bias-motivated violence should be taken seriously and investigated based on the evidence.
The shooting occurred outside Lucky’s early Saturday morning. The victim was initially hospitalized in critical condition after being shot in the abdomen and was later upgraded to stable condition. Police previously said the person responsible for the shooting had been a patron at Lucky’s for several hours before the incident.
While police have now ruled out bias as a motive, the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Violent Crime Division at 412-323-7800.
Full update from Commander Eric Baker, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police LGBTQIA+ Liaison:
October 5, 2026
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Following my statement on October 3 regarding the shooting involving patrons at Lucky’s, I want to provide an important update to the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Violent Crime Division has continued investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident. Based on the investigation, detectives have determined that the shooting was not motivated by bias and that Lucky’s was not targeted because of its connection to the LGBTQIA+ community.
In my initial statement, I emphasized that it would have been premature to draw conclusions about motive, including establishing or ruling out bias, while detectives were still working to determine the facts. The investigation has now progressed to the point that we can provide the community with this additional clarity.
I recognize the concern that violence occurring outside a longstanding LGBTQIA+ establishment can understandably create within our community. Concerns about potential bias-motivated violence should always be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and ultimately evaluated based upon the evidence.
I am grateful that we can now provide some reassurance on that specific concern. At the same time, a person was seriously injured by an act of violence, and that should not be lost in the discussion surrounding motive. Regardless of what motivates violence, we remain united in supporting those affected by it and in rejecting violence in all its forms.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Violent Crime Division at (412) 323-7800.