Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published Decemeber 13, 2023 5:07 P.M.

(Center Township, PA) The off-duty officer accused of killing Kenneth Vinyard at the Monaca Walmart in November 2022, has now been charged. Center Township officer, John Hawk was recommended to be charged by a Grand Jury on December 8th.

He faces charges of involuntary manslaughter including aggravated assault simple assault, reckless endangerment, and perjury. The Vinyard family accepted a settlement in the case of 1 million dollars earlier this year.

Hawk was accused of shoving Kenneth Vinyard to the the ground while off-duty at the scene of a shooting in the Walmart parking lot. The 48 year old Vinyard was reportedly helping a shooting victim before Hawk struck him in the chest, performed a leg sweep, and took Vinyard to the ground causing him to hit his head on the asphalt.

Attorney General Michelle Henry states that an investigation reveals that Hawk was untruthful while testifying to a Grand Jury. On-duty officers testified that Hawk was only asked to secure the perimeter, and that he had no credentials displayed or announce himself as police at the scene.

The investigation also revealed that Vinyard was compliant to all orders and did not pose a threat to Hawk or anyone else. The Grand Jury ultimately decided that there was no legal justification for Hawk’s use of force against Vinyard.

Hawk turned himself in for arraignment Wednesday, with unsecured bail set at $200,000.