Chief of Police Justin McIntire
Officer: Brackenridge Borough Police Department, Chief of Police Justin McIntire
Date: 1/2/2023 Location: Brackenridge Borough, PA FACTORS (1,2,7,8,15,21)
Perpetrator(s) Involved: Aaron Lamont Swan
Criminal Activity History/Involved: Yes, Swan pled guilty to Murder 3rd degree and Robbery for an April 2014 shooting but for his cooperation the homicide charge was dropped, and he was sentenced to 3-6 years in May 2017, given credit for two years’ time served and put on probation. Later in 2014 Swan was arrested and charged with “shooting at Pittsburgh Police” for which he “pleaded guilty and later violated probation.” In March 2017, Swan pled “guilty to a slew of charges, including criminal trespassing, escape, and firearms violations” and was sentenced to probation. Swan was charged in November 2021 for theft of several firearms. / Yes, Swan fled from police during a traffic stop and was wanted for violating probation.
Mental Illness: None stated.
Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown. / None stated.
Race/Sex/Age: Black/Male/28
What prompted the initial contact with the killer? On the night of January 1st, 2023, a Pennsylvania State Trooper observed a vehicle operated by Aaron Swan being driven at an excessive speed and attempted a traffic stop.
Actions taken by subject toward police: Swan refused to comply and instead fled from the Trooper so a notice was put out for law enforcement in the area to be on the lookout for Swan’s vehicle, informing he was wanted on a probation violation involving weapons. Swan was spotted the next morning, January 2nd by police in Harrison Township and he fled from them first in his vehicle and then on foot. A few hours later Swan was seen by police from Brackenridge Borough and Tarentum and this time Swan shot at them as he ran away. At around 4:15 p.m. Brackenridge Borough Chief of Police Justin McIntire spotted Swan and was fatally shot in the head by him. Swan. A Tarentum officer was shot in the leg while trying to capture Swan who successfully fled the area and carjacked a vehicle.
Reactions by the police: An alert was put out for Swan and the stolen vehicle which were spotted in Pittsburgh. The police chased Swan who crashed the car and then ran into a housing area while shooting at them. Returning fire, the police shot Swan several times, killing him and then recovering at least five guns that he used during the various shootings that day.
How murdered? “Chief McIntire was ambushed as he traveled between houses” and shot while chasing a subject who fled police during a traffic stop and was wanted for a probation violation.
What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? Chief McIntire was doing his job, pursuing an armed and dangerous suspect.
Would the officer have been justified to use deadly force before being murdered? Chief McIntire was ambushed and not able to use deadly force first.
Outcome for the cop-killer: Swan was justifiably shot dead during the gunfight.
Miscellaneous: A violent recidivist criminal was repeatedly shown leniency in the courts and now a woman is widowed and three children are without their father because of it.
