SMETHPORT — The Pittsburgh area man who allegedly shot at someone near a bar in Smethport in 2020 before crashing his car into two buildings was sentenced earlier this month to more than four years in state prison.
Brian Borrasso, 56, of North Versailles, was sentenced to 54 to 108 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections, and is barred from having contact with Allegheny Eye Care or American Legion Post 138, along with DUI penalties.
He had pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with extreme indifference, discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, three counts of criminal mischief — damage property, five counts of recklessly endangering another person and DUI.
Since the case was filed in McKean County Court, there have been 19 continuances, several motions hearings and three changes of attorneys.
According to the criminal complaint, in the early morning hours of Aug. 28, 2020, Borrasso was at The Corner Bar at 437 W. Main St., Smethport, when he allegedly took $20 off the bar. The manager caught him, and he was escorted from the bar.
Later, when the bartender went outside to take a smoke break, Borrasso drove around the corner of the bar in a silver SUV, pulled out a gun and shot twice in the direction of the bartender and the bar, which had six people inside, the complaint stated.
No one was injured in the alleged shooting.
Upon investigation, police found that Borrasso had driven through the yard and hit a tree by the American Legion, then backed into the Legion, drove across the street and hit the building housing Dr. Christian Howard’s Allegheny Eye Care before backing off the sidewalk and driving down West Main Street. He drove into Hamlin Lake Park where he struck a large rock, and then drove across the road and struck another large rock, which totally disabled his vehicle.
When officers approached his vehicle, which had extensive rear end damage, Borrasso smelled strongly of alcohol, appeared confused and was slurring his words. He told police “the guns were in the glove box of the car.” Officers had Borrasso sit down, and called for an ambulance to evaluate his condition, the complaint stated.
Two loaded pistols were found on the floor of the passenger side of the vehicle, police said.
When medics arrived, they took Borrasso to Bradford Regional Medical Center, and he was later transferred to Erie County Medical Center.
Officers noted that a breath test on Borrasso showed his blood alcohol content at .155%; the legal limit is .08%.
