ACSO - News Release

PITTSBURGH, PA – Sheriff William P. Mullen announces the apprehension of Herbert Pinckney, 25 of the Municipality of Monroeville and Ali Saad Abdulj-Abugalal, 24 of the Greenfield neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh.

Yesterday afternoon, Allegheny County Family Division received a phone call from Pinckney asking about the hearing he was scheduled to attend on Friday. Pinckney said he was unsure that he could control his emotions if the Plaintiff was in the same room. He went on to say, “So if there is a cop in there with me and I pull out a gun and shoot her, does the cop have permission to kill me?” Furthermore, Pinckney explained that “we” should be prepared for something to happen if he had to attend this hearing. He asked to reschedule the hearing multiple times, but was told that it was too late to go through motions. After receiving this threat, Family Division contacted the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office and Courthouse Security to explain what had happened. Both agencies were made aware of the situation and asked that all deputies and guards observe entrances for Mr. Pinckney.

This morning, sheriff’s deputies identified Pinckney and his friend, Abdulj-Abugalal approaching the Ross Street entrance to the Family Court Complex. The two men were detained and questioned about their intentions, as well as being searched for weapons. Deputies asked Abdulj-Abugalal if he was Pinckney’s friend, which he obliged. Both men were checked for weapons during questioning to which deputies found a 3” folding lock-back steel blade knife in Abdulj-Abugalal’s pocket. After discovering this weapon, deputies asked Pinckney about his friend’s weapon, which he responded, “Because if I gave it to him right before we came into the building so that I would not draw attention to myself or in case I decided to do something stupid.” At this point, both men were placed under arrest and lodged at the Allegheny County Jail where they will await arraignment on the charges of Possession of Firearm or Other Weapon in Court Facility and Criminal Conspiracy. Pinckney was also charged with Terroristic Threats due to the phone calls made on Thursday afternoon.

For any media requesting a photo of Pinckney or Abdulj-Abugalal, please visit the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office “Most Wanted” website at www.sheriffalleghenycounty.com.