Police officer who killed bystander after Pennsylvania shooting sentenced to probation

Kenneth Vinyard was trying to assist police when off-duty officer John J Hawk attacked him

An off-duty police officer who killed a bystander by striking him in the chest and knocking him to the ground as the victim tried to give Beaver county, Pennsylvania, investigators information about a shooting has been ordered to serve five years' probation.

John J Hawk, 38, received the sentence on Tuesday after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the November 2022 attack outside a Walmart that led to the death of Kenneth Vinyard, 48. Hawk also pleaded guilty to assault and reckless endangerment.