DA investigating 2nd person of interest in Chief McIntire's ambush

The degree to which a second person was complicit in the shooting death of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire or whether the person was involved in other local criminal activity is expected to be determined in the coming weeks.

Police are investigating a man who was spotted multiple times with gunman Aaron Swan Jr. during a Jan. 2 crime spree that resulted in Swan ambushing McIntire along Third Avenue.

Swan later was killed by Pittsburgh police after he crashed a carjacked vehicle in the city’s Homewood-­Brushton neighborhood.

Harrison police Chief Mike Klein said county police are “looking deeply into Swan’s counterpart for the possibility of his hindering Swan’s apprehension.”

Authorities have not named that man.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala’s office and the ATF also are investigating the pair’s possible involvement with gun-­running in the area, he said.

Zappala visited the borough Wednesday with county homicide detectives to retrace the steps of Swan and the second man.

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Klein was among the contingent that made at least six stops through Harrison, Brackenridge and Tarentum.

Zappala wanted “to get eyes on Swan’s route of travel, from when it all started to when it ended,” Klein said.

They visited six crime scenes from the time the pair was first stopped at Sheetz in Harrison to the time the men split up at Devil Dog’s Saloon in Brackenridge. The investigators spent time between two houses along Third Avenue where McIntire was shot.

Rebecca Spangler, Zappala’s chief of staff, said viewing the scene is helpful for determining what additional resources would benefit local law enforcement.

“Many times to understand events, it’s necessary to see the scene, especially when there are multiple locations,” Spangler said.

Zappala expects to have an update within 10 to 14 days, Spangler said.

The second man has not yet been charged with any crime stemming from the Jan. 2 events.

The incidents leading up to McIntire’s shooting began Jan. 1 when, according to county police, a state trooper attempted to stop Swan on Route 28 for speeding. The trooper broke off the chase near the Highland Park Bridge.

Just before noon the following day, Harrison police saw Swan and the person being eyed by Zappala at the Sheetz along Freeport Road and attempted to question them, but the pair fled.

Swan’s vehicle was found abandoned in Brackenridge, and a foot pursuit was initiated by McIntire, who had his Taser drawn when Swan shot him, authorities said.

Tarentum officer Jordan Schrecengost was wounded during the pursuit and is recovering.

Earlier this week, Brackenridge officers returned to full-time duty. State police are helping to cover weekend shifts.