Video Shows Clash Before Fatal Shooting of Off-Duty Pa. Police Officer

By Mick Stinelli

Source Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A new video released by the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office shows the altercation in which an off-duty Oakdale police officer was fatally shot in Blawnox on July 3.

Although the shooting itself cannot be seen in the video, the gunfire can be heard just moments after Kevin Alan McSwiggen, 40, pulls a handgun from his waistband after a verbal argument with Charles G. Stipetich, a 23-year-old rookie police officer, following a road rage incident.

The footage, taken by a dashcam on Mr. McSwiggen's vehicle, was played Wednesday during Mr. McSwiggen's preliminary hearing, where a district judge decided he will face trial on charges of homicide and recklessly endangering another person.

It shows Mr. McSwiggen pursuing Officer Stipetich to the officer's parent's home in Blawnox after Officer Stipetich passed him on Freeport Road, which incensed Mr. McSwiggen.

In the video, the two men hurl curses at each other as Officer Stipetich exits his red Ford Taurus.

"Hey, [expletive]," Mr. McSwiggen is heard saying. "Do you not know what the —"

He is cut off by Officer Stipetich telling him, "Go [expletive] yourself."

"Excuse me?" Mr. McSwiggen says before Officer Stipetich repeats himself.

The two continue yelling at each other in the middle of Fountain Street for approximately 25 seconds before Officer Stipetich's father, wearing a white T-shirt, enters the frame after hearing the commotion from his home, according to the video and court documents.

Seconds later, Charles P. Stipetich, the officer's dad, appears to physically engage Mr. McSwiggen, with Officer Stipetich following after. Since Mr. McSwiggen is off-screen, it is not clear what provoked Mr. Stipetich, but a gunshot can be heard just moments later.

As they re-enter the frame, the elder Mr. Stipetich continues to grapple with Mr. McSwiggen, but he falls to the ground. Simultaneously, Officer Stipetich comes back into the frame and appears to be examining himself for gunshot wounds. His gun is clearly seen still holstered in his waistband.

When Mr. McSwiggen points his firearm at Mr. Stipetich, who begins to stand up and back away, the officer draws his weapon and fires one shot at Mr. McSwiggen, who was wounded and is not seen in the video again.

The officer approaches his father, appearing to show him where he was wounded before he collapses on the ground.

"Call the police," Mr. Stipetich yells to his wife. "Chuck's been shot."

The dashcam video, newly released to the public, was previously detailed by authorities in Mr. McSwiggen's criminal complaint.

Mr. McSwiggen earlier this year faced charges for his behavior at the Pittsburgh Public Schools administrative office, where he allegedly assaulted the district's police chief. He was subsequently banned from his child's school and pleaded guilty to a summary citation of disorderly conduct.

___

Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at www.post-gazette.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.