DA rules use of force in Lower Burrel officer-involved shooting ruled justified

LOWER BURRELL, Pa. — Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli has ruled that the use of force in a February officer-involved shooting in Lower Burrell was justified.

Jordan Lindner, 29, was wounded by SWAT members on Feb. 14, 2026, after he allegedly fired two rounds at law enforcement officers.

The incident began when the Lower Burrell Police Department responded to reports of gunfire into an occupied residence on Rodgers Drive. Investigators discovered a bullet had pierced a window and wall of the home and the residents identified Lindner as the likely shooter from his adjacent property.

After the initial investigation at the scene, Lower Burrell Police obtained an arrest warrant for Lindner. Officers used a public address system to communicate with Lindner, requesting that he surrender and exit his residence peacefully. Lindner refused to comply with the requests and retreated back into his home. According to investigators, Lindner yelled, “just shoot me,” toward the officers before he went back inside.

Westmoreland County SWAT arrived at the Rodgers Drive property to set up a perimeter and continued issuing verbal commands for Lindner to surrender. Members of the SWAT team eventually breached the front of the home to determine Lindner’s location. During this breach, officers observed Lindner holding a large silver revolver.

While officers continued to communicate with the suspect, they reported that Lindner pointed the revolver first at himself and then toward the officers. Lindner then fired one round in the direction of the law enforcement personnel. In an effort to secure a peaceful surrender, officers deployed gas inside the residence. Lindner responded by firing a second round at the officers.

SWAT members returned fire after the second round was discharged, striking Lindner and wounding him. No police officers or SWAT members were injured during the exchange. Lindner was taken into custody and faces two counts of attempted homicide, two counts of assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

District Attorney Ziccarelli based the justification of the shooting on Section 508 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. The statute states that a law enforcement officer is justified in using deadly force when they believe it is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury to themselves or others. It also allows for deadly force to prevent the escape of an individual who possesses a deadly weapon or indicates they will endanger human life.

The District Attorney’s Office analyzed police reports, evidence and witness statements before Ziccarelli finalized the decision. She determined the use of force was reasonable because of the immediate threat of death or serious injury posed to the officers at the scene.

“The use of force was justified and proper under the circumstances,” Ziccarelli stated in her final review of the incident.

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