A Regent Square man will spend five years in prison after he hurled a firework at police and injured several officers during a transgender issues protest at the University of Pittsburgh in 2023.
Brian DiPippa, 37, was sentenced in federal court on Monday alongside his wife, Krystal DiPippa, 42, who also played a role in obstructing law enforcement.
U.S. District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan sentenced Ms. DiPippa to three years of probation. She plead guilty in September to charges of conspiracy and obstruction of law enforcement. Brian DiPippa pleaded guilty to using an explosive to commit a federal felony.
The couple also must jointly pay over $47,000 in restitution to a Pitt police officer for financial damages the officer suffered from injuries caused by the couple, and $1,400 to the university.
“The DiPippas conspired to injure law enforcement officers and cause chaos at a college campus protest,” U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan said in a news release. “They attacked brave men and women who were trying to maintain order and protect the attendees. [Monday’s] sentencings — and particularly the years of incarceration imposed on Brian DiPippa — should serve as a deterrent for anyone who would consider engaging in such outrageous and dangerous conduct in the future.”
The DiPippas were among about 200 people who protested an April 2023 campus debate — “Should transgenderism be regulated by law?” — between conservative Daily Wire commentator Michael Knowles and libertarian journalist Brad Polumbo.
As the debate was about to begin, police say Brian DiPippa ignited and dropped two homemade incendiary devices near a line of attendees waiting to enter the O’Hara Student Center, where the debate was held.
Later, Brian DiPippa, concealed by his wife, ignited and threw a firework at university police officers who had formed a human barricade to prevent protesters from entering the student center. Several officers were injured, and a loud explosion could be heard from within the student center.
Other protesters lit flares, burned Mr. Knowles in effigy, chanted and played drums and cowbells during the six-hour demonstration. Dozens of officers from Pitt and the city of Pittsburgh responded.
The tumultuous protest prompted Pitt to issue a public safety emergency as protesters crowded the area around the student center and jammed surrounding roadways. Numerous campus buildings were closed and transports to hospitals in Oakland were sent elsewhere after hospital entrances were blocked.
In a statement, Pitt spokesman Jared Stonesifer said the university is grateful the case came to a just conclusion.
"The University of Pittsburgh supports the right to peaceful demonstrations but will not tolerate threats or acts of violence that put others in harm's way. The sentence imposed this week cannot undo the physical and emotional injuries that our officers sustained. We are grateful for the assistance of our federal partners in vigorously pursuing this case and bringing it to a successful and just conclusion."
First Published: January 7, 2025, 6:29 p.m.
Updated: January 8, 2025, 2:02 p.m.
