GoFundMe page claiming to raise funds for family of slain Brackenridge police chief has been suspended

The owner of a GoFundMe page claiming to raise funds for slain Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire has no connection to his family and has been banned by the company, according to the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office.

County sheriff’s office spokesperson Mike Manko issued an initial alert about the page Wednesday.

“Our office has been advised that there is currently a GoFundMe page for Chief Justin McIntire that has been listed by a Michael McIntire,” Manko said. “Our office has been informed, and the public should be aware that this page has no connection to Chief Justin McIntire or his family.”

Manko said there is no active investigation but that the office was advising the public not to donate.

The GoFundMe page was listed as being organized by a Mike McIntire of Lancaster. That page, which was still active as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, had raised more than $650.

A short time later, GoFundMe suspended the page and hid it from public view, according to Manko.

Then on Wednesday evening, GoFundMe issued a statement: “At GoFundMe, being a safe and trusted place to give and receive help is our top priority. We have removed this fundraiser and the organizer has also been banned from using the platform for any future fundraisers.

“All donors who contributed to the campaign will be fully refunded. Our thoughts remain with all of you during this tragic time.”

Mike McIntire, organizer of the page, did not respond to a request for comment.

Multiple, acknowledged fundraisers are looking to raise funds for McIntire’s family following his death Monday.

McIntire was fatally shot Monday afternoon during a confrontation with suspect Aaron Lamont Swan Jr., 28, of Duquesne, following a two-day manhunt over a probation violation involving weapons.

McIntire was 46. He was named chief in late 2018 after having served as officer-in-charge of the department when then-Chief Jamie Bock retired that June. He was sworn in as chief in January 2019.

Swan was fatally shot in Pittsburgh’s Homewood-Brushton neighborhood by police Monday evening.