Jonathan Troy Swierski, a 20-year-old male from Matthews, NC, tragically lost his life on July 6, 2019. Jonathan was born on October 1, 1998, and was known for his loyalty, caring nature, and love for his family and friends. He was a patriotic young man who enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing video games, and listening to country music. Jonathan was also a member of the ROTC at Weddington High School and had a deep affection for his girlfriend, Lacey Horne.
On the night of his death,
Jonathan was involved in an altercation at the Paces Pointe Apartments in Matthews. The incident began as a dispute between two groups of people who knew each other and escalated into a physical fight. During the altercation, Jonathan was fatally shot by a friend who claimed the shooting was accidental. The shooter stated that he fired the shotgun "on accident" after being hit on the arm with a table leg, which caused the gun to discharge.
Despite the tragic circumstances, no charges were filed against the shooter. The Matthews Police Department and the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the shooter intentionally pointed the gun at anyone or that he was not acting in self-defense. The decision not to file charges has left Jonathan's family devastated and seeking justice for their son. They have expressed their outrage and disappointment, stating that they believe Jonathan's life was taken without reason and that the case was not given a fair shake.
In response to the lack of criminal charges, Jonathan's family has decided to pursue civil litigation against the apartment complex and the shooter. They have also created a Facebook page called "Justice for Jonathan" to raise awareness about their son's death and to call for accountability. Jonathan's parents, Scott and Dawn Swierski, continue to fight for justice, hoping to see their son's killer held responsible for his actions.
