Off-duty Philadelphia police officer killed after double shooting outside lounge
Off-duty officer killed in double shooting in Eastwick
A 29-year-old off-duty Philadelphia police officer has died after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds during an early morning double shooting.
PHILADELPHIA - A 29-year-old off-duty Philadelphia police officer has died after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds during an early morning double shooting.
What we know:
Police responded to a report of a shooting near 7244 Elmwood Avenue just before 4 a.m. Upon arrival, officers found two men suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside an after-hours lounge.
The officer, a two-year veteran of the department assigned to the 12th District, sustained severe gunshot wounds to the chest area. A second victim, a 35-year-old man, was also shot multiple times.
Responding officers rushed both men directly to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. The officer was initially listed in extremely critical condition. He has since succumbed to his injuries. The second victim is in extremely critical condition.
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Dig deeper:
Surveillance video obtained by FOX 29 shows the moments before and after the shooting. You can see several groups of people standing on the sidewalk as a police car drives by 7244 Elmwood Avenue. Not even 20 seconds later, a fight appears to break out, then you can see people running and ducking for cover.
After the shooting, the video shows an individual who law enforcement sources believe to be the shooter, in a mask, appearing to hold a gun, bend down to possibly pick something up and run away. Ten seconds later, police arrive.
According to online records with the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections, the building has a history of violations dating back to 2021, and several inspections for a "nuisance property," most recently in January of this year.
Neighbors tell FOX 29 they have complained for years that it needs to be shut down. Less than three weeks ago, a 29-year-old woman was hit and killed crossing the street, moments after getting out of a rideshare.
"The girl not even two weeks ago got killed crossing the street from a driver that was in a stolen car, and it’s like when are they going to stop this place?" says Shaquilla Vargas, a neighbor.
What we don't know:
Investigators are still working to determine what activity preceded the gunfire.
Investigators recovered a single firearm at the scene. Authorities noted that it is not yet known whether the weapon belonged to the off-duty officer.
No suspects are currently in custody. Detectives are actively canvassing the location to interview individuals who were onsite and to look for video evidence.
What you can do:
Police are urging anyone with information or video footage of the incident to contact the homicide unit, call 911, or leave an anonymous tip at 215-686-TIPS.
The Source: Information from this article was provided by Philadelphia police.