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William Hardison

Age : 63

Gender : Male

Race : Black

Date : 08/23/2023

Location : 4800 block of Broad Street

City : Pittsburgh

County : Allegheny

State : Pennsylvania

Agency : Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office; Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

Officer(s) :Not disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Sovereign citizen killed by police during eviction

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/23/2023, 63-year-old William Hardison Sr. was killed by police following an hours-long armed standoff at a house in the 4800 block of Broad Street in Pittsburgh's Garfield neighborhood. The confrontation began when Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived shortly before 11:00 a.m. to execute a court-ordered eviction.
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The property had belonged to Hardison's brother, who died several years earlier. The property was subsequently sold at a tax sale. Hardison continued living in the house and disputed the legal authority of the courts and government to remove him.
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Hardison identified with sovereign citizen ideology. His social-media activity and statements reflected sovereign-citizen beliefs concerning government authority and property rights, and reporting following his death described his adherence to the movement as relevant to his refusal to recognize the eviction order.
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According to law enforcement, deputies announced themselves and attempted to serve the eviction order. Police alleged that Hardison opened fire from inside the residence as deputies attempted to enter. Deputies withdrew and requested additional assistance.
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The confrontation developed into a large-scale police response involving the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and multiple tactical teams. Authorities evacuated neighboring residences and closed streets surrounding the property while Hardison remained barricaded inside.
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Police reported that Hardison repeatedly fired from the house during the standoff. Hundreds of rounds were reportedly exchanged during the confrontation, with periods of intense gunfire audible throughout the neighborhood. Police used armored vehicles during the response, and authorities attempted to communicate with Hardison and persuade him to surrender.
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The standoff continued for approximately six hours. Police eventually observed Hardison leaving the residence and entering the yard while armed. According to police, Hardison continued firing at officers. Police opened fire and struck him.
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Hardison was pronounced dead following the police gunfire. No law-enforcement officers were killed during the prolonged exchange. The Allegheny County Police Department assumed responsibility for investigating the fatal police shooting.
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Hardison's death prompted a vigil in the Garfield neighborhood. Some neighbors and people who knew him described him as a longtime neighborhood resident and questioned whether the eviction could have been handled differently before escalating into the fatal confrontation.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Multiple Allegheny County Sheriff's deputies and Pittsburgh police officers participated in the armed confrontation.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2023/08/24/garfield-standoff-shooting-vigil-gunman/stories/202308240141
https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/just-sad-neighbors-react-garfield-active-shooting-situation-suspect-death/FSKUM2TG3RDSVHJ7XTUMULJPLM/
https://www.wokv.com/news/national/suspect-dead-after/DXIY4GGF22KGWP4N3VO4C7TTII/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mMF-6x9pio