A federal grand jury has indicted a Pittsburgh man on charges of attempted murder and assaulting a federal officer nearly four months after authorities say he fired at least 18 shots at a Drug Enforcement Administration agent who later found a large stash of fentanyl at the man’s home.
Drew Gordon, 22, of Carrick assaulted and attempted to kill the DEA agent while the agent was driving in the city’s Carrick neighborhood, according to the five-count indictment, filed Tuesday, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Western Pennsylvania.
“Drew Gordon allegedly fired as many as 18 shots at a DEA agent, striking the agent’s vehicle multiple times, while the agent was simply doing his job: keeping our streets safe,” U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan said Wednesday in a prepared statement.
“We will pursue those who unleash gun violence into our communities—regardless of whether they target law enforcement officers or civilians—with the full weight of federal law,” Olshan added.
In August, investigators searched Gordon’s house on Valera Avenue after the undercover agent, who authorities have not named, said someone in a car linked to Gordon shot at him.
The agent’s car was riddled with “bullet strikes,” according to an FBI affidavit.
The affidavit said the DEA agent was conducting surveillance in the afternoon of Aug. 30 around Valera Avenue.
The undercover agent spotted a red Dodge Ram pickup. For reasons that were not explained by authorities, he wanted to get away from the vehicle.
The agent circled the block and turned onto Maytide Street around 1:20 p.m. when the pickup drove past.
Shots were fired, and the agent realized someone he thought was in the pickup was shooting at him, according to court papers.
The agent was not injured. Pittsburgh police were dispatched and recovered 10 spent cartridge cases nearby.
The FBI and other agencies said they found “extensive evidence tying Gordon to the shooting,” including surveillance video, and cell phone data and location records.
Authorities initially charged Gordon with fentanyl distribution.
Gordon appeared in federal court Sept. 3. Authorities called him a flight risk in court records and said he is a danger to the community.
The federal public defender’s office, which is representing Gordon, declined to comment Wednesday.
If convicted on all counts, Gordon faces a maximum sentence of at least 20 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $8 million, or both, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
