Pittsburgh sanitation worker fatally shot in Carrick

A Pittsburgh garbage collector about to begin his route died in a shooting in Carrick on Monday, a public safety spokeswoman said.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office identified the man as Omar Hodges, 29.

Spokeswoman Sonya Toler said Hodges has worked for the city's Environmental Services department since January 2013.

He was in his personal vehicle in the 100 block of Birmingham Avenue when someone fired about 12 gunshots out of a Nissan Altima, Toler said. She said she didn't know if he was the target of the shooting.

Hodges died at UPMC Mercy, Uptown.

Police are searching for the Altima, which Toler described as a four-door vehicle that was either light silver or white in color.

Toler said Hodges drove to the area where workers normally park their personal vehicles to begin their garbage routes.

Shortly after noon, Mayor Bill Peduto issued a statement saying, “I am deeply saddened by the death today of a worker in the city's Environmental Services bureau. I know I join thousands of fellow workers and residents across the city keeping his family in their thoughts and prayers.”

Peduto said, “The next days will be very difficult, but I and the entire city will stand with the family of Omar Hodges for years to come.”

The mayor also called on citizens to call police with any information.

“Pittsburgh Bureau of Police detectives are responding to this and other recent incidents swiftly, firmly and appropriately,” he said. “They can work even better with assistance from the community. I urge anyone who has any information on these shootings -- no matter how insignificant it may seem -- to share it with police.”