Tragedy in Pittsburgh: Police Chief Killed In Line of Duty, Murderer Killed In Shootout With Police
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Police Chief Justin McIntire of Brackenridge, Pennsylvania was shot and killed and one other officer was injured Monday according to law enforcement authorities. The suspected gunman Aaron Lamont Swan, 28, of Duquesne, PA was later shot and killed in a gun battle with police.
According to WTAE-TV, Brackenridge Police have told the media that McIntire and an officer from Tarentum were ambushed by Swan who was wanted for a probation violation.
Swan encountered Harrison Township police at 2 p.m. on Monday and led them on a chase for over two hours until at 4:15 p.m. a Brackenridge officer made contact with him. What followed was two separate shootings in Brackenridge. In one of these encounters McIntire was shot and died at the scene, Tarentum Officer Jordan Schrecengost was shot in the leg and is recovering at an area hospital.
WTAE wrote that according to police, Swan entered a home and stole a 2014 Subaru Legacy, using it to flee the area. The suspect was located in Pittsburgh where police attempted to stop him and a chase followed. Swan crashed the car and fled on foot into a nearby wooded area firing at officers. They responded with a hail of gunfire. The suspect was hit and died from his injuries. One Pittsburgh officer suffered minor injuries likely from shrapnel in the engagement.
Senior National Contributor for LawEnforcementToday, Rob O’Donnell tweeted that Swan, “…had an extensive criminal history. In 2019 was detained for producing drugs, illegally possessing a weapon, shooting at police, & putting the public in harm’s way…”
The suspect, Aaron Lamont Swan Jr. Who murdered Brackenridge, Pennsylvania Police Chief Justin McIntire had an extensive criminal history. In 2019 was detained for producing drugs, illegally possessing a weapon, shooting at police, & putting the public in harm’s way & was out. pic.twitter.com/RKmCS4lOgD
Allegheny County Police Superintendent Chris Kearns told WPXI-TV, that McIntire who was appointed chief in 2018, was shot in the head and died where he fell at Sixth Avenue and Morgan Street.
“Today’s tragedy in Brackenridge is a devastating reminder of the bravery of those who put their lives on the line every day to protect us,” Pennsylvania Governor-elect Josh Shapirosaid in a statement, according to The New York Post.
“Police Chief Justin McIntire ran towards danger to keep Pennsylvanians safe — and he made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the community.”
“Chief McIntire and his family are in my prayers, as is his fellow officer who was injured in the line of duty tonight,” Shapiro added. “May Chief McIntire’s memory be a blessing.”
Police escorted the body of Police Chief Justin McIntire from the scene to the medical examiner’s office, according to Ashley Zilka of WTAE.
HAPPENING NOW:
Police and other law enforcement agencies are escorting the body of Police Chief Justin McIntire from the shooting scene in Brackenridge to the medical examiner’s office.
McIntire was killed in the line of duty earlier today.
“Brackenridge is a small town,” Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser told CBS News. “We are all childhood friends. We grew up together and we helped raise each other’s children.” He said his community is “lost” in grief, and trying to find a path forward.
Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire is a #hero who gave his life to protect the community he loved. Chief, your #bravery will always be honored and remembered by the PA FOP and countless Pennsylvanians. pic.twitter.com/lWBur5uM5n
“He was good. He was kind. He was funny, thoughtful,” Fraser told reporters. “These sorts of things didn’t happen in Brackenridge. And were just devastated.”
“I’m literally broken,” Chief McIntire’s wife Ashley McIntire wrote in a Facebook post cited by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I just want someone to tell me this nightmare is over.”
“My Best Friend My Person My entire world gone in a blink of an eye. I’m not sure how I can do this so-called life without you. I can’t even put into words how great of a person my husband was. He was my person. I love you with all my heart. Until we meet again.”
Police Chief Justin McIntire of Brackenridge, Pennsylvania was shot and killed and one other officer was injured Monday according to law enforcement authorities. The suspected gunman Aaron Lamont Swan, 28, of Duquesne, PA was later shot and killed in a gun battle with police.
According to WTAE-TV, Brackenridge Police have told the media that McIntire and an officer from Tarentum were ambushed by Swan who was wanted for a probation violation.
Swan encountered Harrison Township police at 2 p.m. on Monday and led them on a chase for over two hours until at 4:15 p.m. a Brackenridge officer made contact with him. What followed was two separate shootings in Brackenridge. In one of these encounters McIntire was shot and died at the scene, Tarentum Officer Jordan Schrecengost was shot in the leg and is recovering at an area hospital.
WTAE wrote that according to police, Swan entered a home and stole a 2014 Subaru Legacy, using it to flee the area. The suspect was located in Pittsburgh where police attempted to stop him and a chase followed. Swan crashed the car and fled on foot into a nearby wooded area firing at officers. They responded with a hail of gunfire. The suspect was hit and died from his injuries. One Pittsburgh officer suffered minor injuries likely from shrapnel in the engagement.
Senior National Contributor for LawEnforcementToday, Rob O’Donnell tweeted that Swan, “…had an extensive criminal history. In 2019 was detained for producing drugs, illegally possessing a weapon, shooting at police, & putting the public in harm’s way…”
Allegheny County Police Superintendent Chris Kearns told WPXI-TV, that McIntire who was appointed chief in 2018, was shot in the head and died where he fell at Sixth Avenue and Morgan Street.
“Today’s tragedy in Brackenridge is a devastating reminder of the bravery of those who put their lives on the line every day to protect us,” Pennsylvania Governor-elect Josh Shapiro said in a statement, according to The New York Post.
“Police Chief Justin McIntire ran towards danger to keep Pennsylvanians safe — and he made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the community.”
Police escorted the body of Police Chief Justin McIntire from the scene to the medical examiner’s office, according to Ashley Zilka of WTAE.
“Brackenridge is a small town,” Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser told CBS News. “We are all childhood friends. We grew up together and we helped raise each other’s children.” He said his community is “lost” in grief, and trying to find a path forward.
“He was good. He was kind. He was funny, thoughtful,” Fraser told reporters. “These sorts of things didn’t happen in Brackenridge. And were just devastated.”