Firearm discovered at pittsburgh airport security checkpoint, charges filed
Pittsburgh International Airport

Firearm Discovered at Pittsburgh Airport Security Checkpoint, Charges Filed

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1 min read
May 21, 2024

PITTSBURGH, PA – Charges have been filed against Scott Playford of Renfrew, PA, after a firearm was found in his backpack at Pittsburgh International Airport. The incident occurred at 2:29 PM on May 21, 2024, when Transportation Security Administration officers at the airport’s main security checkpoint detected the handgun and promptly alerted Allegheny County Police.

Playford, a 45-year-old Canadian citizen residing legally in Pennsylvania, was identified as the backpack’s owner. He does not hold a concealed carry permit and now faces a misdemeanor charge for carrying a firearm without a license. Following the discovery, the firearm was seized, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified of the incident.

The Transportation Security Administration warns that passengers who bring firearms to airport security checkpoints could face federal civil fines up to $10,000, with fines for repeat offenders reaching as high as $13,910.

  • Hazleton convenience store sells $500K Lottery jackpot winner

    Winning Pennsylvania Lottery ticket sold at Luzerne County convenience store

    HAZLETON, Pa. — A Pennsylvania Lottery player is holding a $500,000 Cash 5 with Quick Cash jackpot-winning ticket after matching all five numbers in Wednesday night’s drawing.

    According to the Pennsylvania Lottery, the winning ticket was sold at Pantry Quik, located at 145 E. Diamond Ave. in Hazleton.

    The ticket matched all five winning numbers drawn on Aug. 5 — 11, 19, 29, 33 and 39 — to win the game’s $500,000 jackpot, before applicable withholding.

    The Lottery said Pantry Quik will receive a $500 bonus for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.

    Winners can only be identified after the prize is claimed and the ticket is validated. The jackpot-winning ticket must be claimed within one year of the drawing date.

    In addition to the jackpot winner, more than 11,900 other Cash 5 with Quick Cash tickets won prizes in the Aug. 5 drawing.

    Lottery officials encourage players to check every ticket, as lower-tier prizes can be redeemed at Pennsylvania Lottery retailers.


    Key Points

    • A $500,000 Cash 5 with Quick Cash jackpot-winning ticket was sold in Hazleton.
    • The winning ticket was purchased at Pantry Quik on East Diamond Avenue.
    • More than 11,900 other tickets also won prizes in the Aug. 5 drawing.
  • Heavy police response after East Goshen shooting

    Authorities say there is no ongoing threat to the community

    EAST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A shooting in East Goshen Township prompted a law enforcement response Thursday, with investigators actively working the scene as officials said there is no ongoing threat to the community.

    The Chester County District Attorney’s Office confirmed it is aware of the shooting and said law enforcement officers responded to the scene shortly after the incident was reported.

    Officials have not released information about where the shooting occurred, whether anyone was injured, or whether any arrests have been made.

    The investigation remains active, and authorities said additional information will be released as it is confirmed.

    The Chester County District Attorney’s Office emphasized that there is no threat to the community at this time.

    The Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department is assisting with the investigation.


    Key Points

    • Police are investigating a shooting in East Goshen Township.
    • Authorities said there is no ongoing threat to the community.
    • Additional information will be released as the investigation continues.
  • Teen shot near Allentown intersection leaves 16-year-old hospitalized

    Police investigate late-night gunfire that wounded juvenile

    ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A 16-year-old boy was hospitalized after being shot Tuesday night near a South Allentown intersection, and detectives are working to determine who was responsible.

    According to the Allentown Police Department, officers responded at approximately 10:31 p.m. Aug. 4 to the area of South Carlisle and East Union streets following reports of a shooting.

    When officers arrived, they found the 16-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound.

    The teen was transported by Allentown EMS to a hospital with injuries that police said were not considered life-threatening.

    The Allentown Police Criminal Investigation Unit is leading the investigation.

    Police are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or has additional information to contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 610-437-7721 or submit an anonymous tip through the Allentown Police Tip411 app.

    Authorities said no additional information is being released at this time.


    Key Points

    • A 16-year-old boy was shot Tuesday night in Allentown.
    • The victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
    • Detectives are asking witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

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