Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire was fatally shot Monday afternoon, leaving the community shaken after a two-day manhunt through several neighborhoods that culminated with the shooting death of the suspect.
Tarentum police Officer Jordan Schrecengost suffered a gunshot wound to the leg during the confrontation but was in stable condition, authorities said.
Schrecengost was hired as a part-time officer in August 2019 and went full time in August 2020, according to borough officials, who confirmed he was the injured officer.
Police identified the suspect as Aaron Lamont Swan Jr., 28, of Duquesne, who was fatally shot in Pittsburgh’s Homewood-Brushton neighborhood, said Allegheny County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns.
“Our hearts go out to the families of the officers who were killed and injured this evening, and we just want to thank the community for all the information we received in such a short period of time,” said Victor Joseph, assistant superintendent for the county police.
McIntire was 46. He was named chief in late 2018 after having served as officer-in-charge of the department when then-Chief Jamie Bock retired at the end of June that year. He was sworn in as chief in January 2019.
“(He) loved his job, loved his community,” said Dave Miller, a firefighter and fire police captain with Pioneer Hose.
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A vehicle Swan carjacked in Brackenridge was located by Pittsburgh police in the city’s Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood. A chase ensued, and Swan ran into a wooded area, where he fired shots at officers who then returned fire and shot him, Kearns said.
County police are investigating the shooting.
Swan had been sought since Sunday
Authorities had been pursuing Swan since Sunday night, Kearns said.
State police first encountered Swan, who was wanted for a probation violation involving weapons, near the Cheswick area when he fled a traffic stop along Route 28, Kearns said.
Harrison police later engaged with Swan on Monday morning. Police were able to stop Swan’s vehicle, but he ran away, Kearns said.
At 2 p.m., at the border of Brackenridge and Tarentum, officers again encountered Swan and an hourslong foot pursuit ensued. There were two separate shootings at about 4:15 p.m., one in the 800 block of Third Avenue and a second on Brackenridge Avenue, Kearns said.
McIntire was shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene at 4:36 p.m., according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner. The second officer was shot in the leg and was in stable condition at a hospital.
After the shooting, Swan carjacked a vehicle on Pacific Avenue. The owner of the car wasn’t hurt, police said.
About two hours later, Swan encountered Pittsburgh police in Lincoln-Lemington, but he fled again, police said.
After a short pursuit, Swan crashed the stolen car along Columbiana Street and took off running into a wooded area, according to investigators.
While officers were setting up a perimeter around the woods, Swan emerged and began shooting at officers as he ran into a housing development.
Swan exchanged gunfire with officers and was fatally wounded, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A Pittsburgh police officer suffered a minor injury from shrapnel.
Investigators recovered five guns that were believed to have been used by Swan. Four were found in Brackenridge and the other one in Homewood-Brushton.
‘My heart goes out to the families’
Kathy Cyphert of Brackenridge Avenue, who lives near the shooting scene, said she heard the sirens of responding police cars from her home.
“I feel so bad for them,” Cyphert said. “My heart goes out to the families.”
Police from surrounding communities responded, including from the City of Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania Governor-elect Josh Shapiro issued a statement on Twitter about 7:30 p.m. saying McIntire “made the ultimate sacrifice in service to community.”
“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,” Shapiro said on Twitter.
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.
Police Chief Justin McIntire ran towards danger to keep Pennsylvanians safe — and he made the ultimate sacrifice in service to community.
— Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) January 3, 2023
McIntire’s body was escorted in a police-led procession from the scene shortly after 8 p.m.
At Morgan Street and Sixth Avenue, Pioneer Hose’s Miller stood and saluted as he provided traffic control.
He’s known McIntire for a long time, “since Justin was a rookie,” Miller said.
“He was a helluva guy,” Miller said. “He was a friend. A dear friend.”
Pioneer Hose fire police Capt. Dave Miller salutes as a procession carrying slain Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire leaves the borough. "He was a friend, a dear friend," Miller said. pic.twitter.com/TvEO9l37oE
— Brian Rittmeyer (@BCRittmeyer) January 3, 2023
Schools close, counseling is available
St. Joseph High School in nearby Harrison, which was scheduled to host girls and boys basketball games, postponed their events Monday, athletic director Sally Ackerman said. Highlands School District moved to remote learning for Tuesday.
Capt. David Bender of the Brackenridge Salvation Army said they will be available to help if anyone needs.
“During times like this, it can be very scary for so many residents and also so painful for those close to the situation,” Bender said. “We offer our full support to the local police departments, and if anyone needs anything we are here to help.”
Allegheny Family Network will be offering grief counsel and support services to the community from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday and 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the AFN North office, 1600 Pacific Ave., Suite 10, Natrona Heights.
People who would like to talk, listen, receive information on discussing tragedies with their children or receive counsel can stop in for support from AFN, grief counselor Dr. Mark Lepore and community counselors.
