NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Pittsburgh, PA, October 5, 2025: A tragic chain of events spanning multiple Pittsburgh neighborhoods on Friday left one man dead and a city police detective injured, following what authorities describe as a domestic-related shooting that escalated into a violent confrontation.
The incident began around midday at a motel in Robinson Township, where Rakesh Jagaban, 50, a motel manager, was fatally shot while attempting to intervene in a domestic dispute. According to investigators, a man shot his female companion in the parking lot of the motel. When Jagaban stepped in to help, the gunman turned on him and opened fire, killing him at the scene.
The female victim was transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. The suspect fled the area in a U-Haul van, prompting a citywide manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
A few hours later, detectives with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police tracked the U-Haul to the 2200 block of Wilner Drive in the East Hills neighborhood. As officers approached, the suspect exited the vehicle and began firing. In the exchange of gunfire that followed, a city police detective was struck in the leg.
The injured detective was rushed to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where he received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. He has since been released and is recovering at home. “The detective is resting comfortably with his family and the full support of his fellow officers and the Bureau,” said Acting Chief Martin Devine. “We are grateful to the doctors and nurses at UPMC Presbyterian and to our law enforcement partners who work so hard to keep Allegheny County safe.”
The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Stanley West, was also shot multiple times and remains hospitalized in critical condition. Police have charged him with criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and recklessly endangering another person.
Pennsylvania State Police have been asked to lead the investigation into the East Hills shooting, while Robinson Township authorities are handling the homicide case involving Jagaban.
Authorities continue to piece together the timeline of events that began as a domestic dispute and ended in tragedy for both the Robinson and East Hills communities.
Cover photo designed on Canva for representation only.
