William Hardison, 63, dead after Pittsburgh active shooter who refused eviction notice launched hours-long stand-off

THE Pittsburgh active shooter has died following an hours-long standoff with police and SWAT units.

William "Bill" Hardison, 63, was killed after barricading himself inside his home in the Garfield neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after authorities attempted to serve an eviction notice on Wednesday.

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The incident unfolded just after 10.30am when deputies with the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office arrived at Hardison's home on Broad Street and North Mathilda Street. in an attempt to evict him.

Hardison had previously refused to leave the house, which was previously owned by his father and has since been sold, according to local ABC affiliate WTAE.

The 63-year-old has also declined to pay rent for the past five months, the outlet reported.

Last week, a judge granted a request by the property owner to evict Hardison and lock his belongings inside the house, per WTAE.

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However, when deputies arrived at the home, Hardison immediately fired several rounds.

Authorities returned fire as the situation escalated into a firefight.

It's believed that over 100 rounds were fired, according to CBS affiliate KDKA.

State police said Hardison had shot down at least two police drones.

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Hardison was barricaded in the residence for nearly six hours and refused to surrender.

His son, who is also named William Hardison, pleaded with his dad to end the standoff.

"Dad, please surrender. Please give up. You have children and grandchildren that love you dearly. Please stand down," his son told WTAE.

'SOMETHING FROM A MOVIE'

Witness Chris Wilkinson, who was visiting family in the area, recalled the moment police arrived at Hardison's door.

"In the beginning, all we heard was the cops. They were banging on the door where the shooting takes place," Wilkinson told KDKA.

"They were banging on it, telling him they were there. And after a couple of minutes of them doing it, they started to kick down the door, but after a few tries, they couldn't do it.

"Then, they got a sledgehammer and took down the door, and after that, shots started to be fired.

"I've been really nervous, and it's really sad what's happening. You think you can be safe here, but you can't with what's happening."

Video from the scene showed a massive SWAT and police presence near North Mathilda Street as gunshots were heard being fired in the background.

The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office said one of their sergeants suffered a minor injury while avoiding gunfire. He was not wounded.

"I’ve never heard bullets like this," another neighbor told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Something you’d see in a movie."

'SHOTS RINGING EVERYWHERE'

Leslie Thompson was home when she overheard police officers arrive at her neighbor's house and try to make entry.

"I went to shut my windows, and at that point was when I heard shots ring out," Thompson told KDKA.

"I was very nervous... Trying to get to the basement was unbearable. Shots were ringing out everywhere."

Thompson said that bullets came through her window and into her living room and bathroom.

"Shots came through the window for the living room, I have holes in the bathroom, glass is shattered everywhere," she added.

Thompson's husband was at work when he learned she was barricaded alone in their home.

"Finally, I got in touch with her, she's frantic in the basement, screaming crying," the frantic husband told the outlet.

"My first thing was to get home, you know what I mean? So I get here, and everything is blocked off, and I hear gunshots and everything.

"It's just something I've never heard of or imagined in this neighborhood."

Another neighbor said he heard a few flashbangs being used.

"A lot of good people [live here], people who look out for their families and kids,” Jimmy told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

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"Right now, it's a major concern to everyone here living in the community... This is one of those areas where it's quiet and tucked away."

Residents on Broad Street were evacuated as authorities dealt with the ongoing active shooter situation.