Pennsylvania police chief is fatally shot in the head and another cop is injured after shootout

A Pennsylvania police chief was fatally shot in the head and another officer was struck in the leg during a shootout with a 28-year-old man who was wanted on a probation violation. 

Chief of Brackenridge Police Department, Justin McIntire, 46, died on Monday afternoon, two hours after suspect Aaron Lamont Swan led cops on a two-hour chase on foot through the town.

After the fatal shooting, Swan fled in a stolen car but was killed hours later during another shootout with police in Pittsburgh, around 20 miles southeast.

McIntire was pronounced dead at the scene of the first shooting but the other officer, an unidentified member of Tarentum Police Department, was rushed to hospital and said to be in a stable condition on Monday night.

On Tuesday morning McIntire's wife Ashley posted a tribute to her late husband. 'I am literally broken,' she wrote. 'I just want someone to tell me this nightmare is over.'

Pennsylvania police chief Justin McIntire (pictured), 46, was fatally shot in the head during a shootout with a 28-year-old man wanted on a probation violation

McIntire was shot by suspect Aaron Swan (pictured), 28, who was killed during another shootout with police around two hours later. He had shot at a police officer before in 2014

Swan had an extensive criminal history and in 2014 was sentenced to three years in prison for shooting another police officer.

Most recently he was wanted for violating the terms of his probation by processing a weapon.

On Sunday night he was spotted by Pennsylvania state police on Route 28, according to Allegheny County Police Superintendent Chris Kearns, but able to escape during a traffic stop.

On Monday morning he was seen again by officers and after a short chase ditched his car and ran away on foot. At 2pm he was seen on the boundary of Tarentum and Brackenridge boroughs.

Kearns said during a press conference Swan was then chased on foot for more than two hours until at 4.15pm Chief McIntire and the Tarentum officer confronted him and a shootout ensued. 

After the fatal shooting, Swan fled in a stolen car but was killed hours later during another shootout with police in Pittsburgh, around 20 miles southeast

McIntire (left) pictured with his wife Ashley (right). She posted a tribute to him on Tuesday morning, saying: 'I am literally broken'

After suspect Swan shot McIntire in Brackenridge, he travelled 20 miles southeast in a stolen Subaru to Homewood in Pittsburgh 

On Monday night dozens of law enforcement vehicles joined a procession for Chief McIntire and escorted his body to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office

McIntire was fatally shot in the head and the unidentified Tarentum officer was hit in the leg.

Swan then carjacked a silver 2014 Subaru Legacy and used it to escape the Brackenridge area.

Police said they put out a 'lookout' alert for the car and that the people from whom it was stolen were not injured. A couple of hours later at around 6.30pm Swan was spotted in the car, this time in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

He again ditched his vehicle and ran into a wooded area. After re-emerging, Kearns said Swan opened fire, triggering another shootout in which he was fatally killed. 

McIntire was sworn in as police chief in Brackenridge four years ago in 2018 and had worked his way up through the ranks from patrol officer. 

On Monday night dozens of law enforcement vehicles joined a procession for McIntire and escorted his body to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office.

John Fetterman, Pennsylvania senator-elect, wrote on Twitter: 'This is absolutely tragic. Police Chief McIntire made the ultimate sacrifice to keep his community safe.'

Governor-elect Josh Shapiro also posted commiserations, saying: '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.'

Chief McIntire (right) pictured with his wife Ashley (left)

Pennsylvania senator-elect John Fetterman addressed the shooting on Twitter

Governor-elect Josh Shapiro posted commiserations on Twitter

The shooting was said to have shaken the residents of Brackenridge, and the local school district shifted to remote learning on Tuesday, the Post-Gazette reported.

On Monday evening people lined nearby Morgan Avenue and spoke of the incident. 'We just heard multiple gunshots,' Nicholas Gamble told the Gazette.

'It was crazy. So we locked the doors, turned the lights off, closed the curtains. It was pretty scary,' he added.

In the tribute on Facebook his wife Ashely added: '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.'