Man charged in Downtown Pittsburgh shooting incident

Police have charged a man in connection with a shooting that injured a teenager in Downtown Pittsburgh. The suspect, Martel Tyler Hedge Jr., 21, faces charges of aggravated assault. The incident occurred on February 19 around 4 p.m. on Smithfield Street. Hedge Jr. was arrested at the scene. He claimed he shot the teen in self-defense. The shooting reportedly followed a confrontation between Hedge Jr., the victim, and two high school students. Witnesses said Hedge Jr. interrupted the group's conversation while they were waiting for the bus. He allegedly threatened to rob them, leading to a fight. According to Hedge Jr., the situation escalated when the teenagers approached him and started using racial slurs. He said he fired his weapon because he felt he was being attacked. He acknowledged firing one shot and surrendered to police afterward. The victim provided a different account. He said Hedge Jr. accused them of bullying and that Hedge Jr. started the physical altercation. Another student involved in the fight backed this claim, stating there was no bullying or racial slurs involved. Hedge Jr. is currently facing charges for aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person.