Pennsylvania police chief killed in foot chase, suspect dies in shootout hours later

A Pennsylvania police chief was fatally shot Monday when trying to apprehend a suspect wanted on a weapons charge.

The gunman died in a shootout with law enforcement hours later, officials said.

Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire died after being shot in the head, and another officer was injured but stable after being struck in the leg, law enforcement official told the Associated Press. The second officer is hospitalized and expected to survive.

The officers were in pursuit of Aaron Lamont Swan, 28, of Duquesne, who was wanted for alleged weapons charge that violated his parole. 

The officers were shot blocks away from each other in Brackenridge, which has a population of roughly 3,200, Census data shows.

The suspect carjacked a vehicle, and when Pittsburgh detectives spotted him, a chase ensued, Allegheny County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns said. 

Swan crashed the stolen vehicle and a foot chase ensued in a wooded area, then toward a residential development, as the suspect fired upon the pursuing detectives, Kerns said.

The Pittsburgh officers fired back at Swan and killed him on Monday evening, officials said. 

"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," State Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the Democratic governor-elect, tweeted. "Police Chief Justin McIntire ran towards danger to keep Pennsylvanians safe — and he made the ultimate sacrifice in service to community."

Allegheny County Police are investigating the shooting of Swan, Kearns also said.