The following includes editorial content written by a retired Chief of Police and current staff writer for Law Enforcement Today.
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BRACKENRIDGE, PA- Once again, we see a case of a violent criminal who was out on the streets despite a lengthy criminal history committing a heinous crime which cost someone their life.
Such is the case in Pennsylvania, where a judge says the man who shot and killed Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire had no business being out on the streets, KDKA-AM in Pittsburgh reports. Fortunately, the dirtbag will no longer pose a threat to civilized society.
The suspect, Aaron Swan, was shot and killed by police in the Pennsylvania town of Homewood on Jan. 2.
What exactly was Swan’s criminal history?
2014- convicted of shooting at a K9 officer in East Liberty, Pennsylvania.
2017- convicted of armed robbery and inflicting serious bodily injury.
2019- pleaded guilty to drug sales after he was arrested in Mount Oliver, Pennsylvania.
In an interview with KDKA, Allegheny County Magistrate Judge Gene Riccardi told the outlet that individuals such as Swan had no business being released from prison in the first place.
“This criminal was on the streets, should’ve never been on the streets, should’ve been behind bars,” said Riccardi. “When are we going to wake up and realize that some men and women are just bad individuals and should be jailed.”
The incident took place as law enforcement officials were seeking to arrest Swan for violation of probation warrants involving weapons. He was initially spotted by Pennsylvania State Police on New Year’s Day, however, was able to evade them.
Later on Monday, Swan engaged in pursuit with police from Harrison Township. Police were able to stop Swan, however he fled on foot.
Monday afternoon at around 2 p.m., he was spotted by McIntire and another police officer, where he engaged them in a firefight. Sadly, McIntire was struck and succumbed to his wounds.
Two other officers were wounded, according to Fox 43, however their injuries were not life threatening. One suffered a leg wound, while the other was believed hit by shrapnel.
Swan then carjacked another car until he was shot and killed by Homewood police.
Allegheny County Police issued a release in which they said “a total of five guns believed to have been used by Swan in this incident were recovered. Four were recovered in Brackenridge and one in Homewood-Brushton.”
In a statement, Pennsylvania State Attorney and governor-elect Josh Shapiro, speaking of McIntire said, in part:
“…[McIntyre] ran towards danger to keep Pennsylvania safe—and he made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the 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.
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
Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf ordered state flags in the state to be flown at half-mast at all commonwealth facilities, public buildings, and grounds in honor of Chief McIntire until sunset on the day of his internment. Services have yet to be announced.
After stealing the vehicle, multiple police departments as well as a SWAT team responded to the area. The stolen vehicle was spotted in Pittsburgh’s Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood. He crashed that vehicle after a short pursuit and fled into a wooded area.
Law enforcement officials set up a perimeter, and when Swan exited the wooded area, he ran into a housing area, firing shots at police officers along the way. Police returned fire, striking Swan who died at the scene.
On Monday evening, a number of police cars lined the southbound lanes of Route 28 as McIntire’s body was transported by a procession of police vehicles to the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office. Police officers from other departments throughout the county lined the streets of Pittsburgh as the procession passed through.
“He’s going to be sorely missed, there’s no doubt about that,” fire chief Rick Jones said of McIntire Monday evening, calling attention to the fact that McIntire had grown up in the borough, as reported by the Post-Gazette.
“[He] loved his job, loved his community,” Dave Miller, a firefighter and fire police captain with Pioneer Hose, told the Tribune Review. “he was a hell of a guy.”
Meanwhile, Chief McIntire’s wife took to Facebook to express the grief felt by her and her family. She called McIntire her best friend and said her world had been taken away “in the blink of an eye.”
“I am literally broken. I just want someone to tell me this nightmare is over…,” she said. “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.”
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