Slain Temple officer Chris Fitzgerald was patrolling area alone the night he was killed, officials say
Slain Temple officer Chris Fitzgerald was patrolling area alone the night he was killed, officials say
Authorities say Officer Fitzgerald was on patrol alone the night he was fatally shot. According to police, he originally engaged with the suspect and two other teens after they were spotted in masks and dark clothing in an area that has seen an uptick in robberies.
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia officials and Temple University leaders held a press conference Tuesday morning to address the fatal shooting of Temple University Police Officer Chris Fitzgerald.
Mayor Jim Kenney was joined by Temple University President Dr. James Wingard, Temple University Public Safety Director Dr. Jennifer Griffin, Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, District Attorney Larry Krasner and Staff Inspector Ernest Ransom from the Philadelphia Police Department's Homicide Unit at the conference, which occurred just days after the officer's death.
Investigators detailed the deadly shooting that unfolded just after 7 p.m. Saturday on the 1700 block of Montgomery Avenue. Officer Fitzgerald, 31, was in a single-officer patrol car when he saw three young people dressed in dark clothes with masks and attempted to investigate due to recent crimes in the area.
"There have been a series of robberies and carjackings in the area and these males were wearing all black and masked up, Officer Fitzgerald attempted to conduct what we call a pedestrian investigation," Inspector Ransom told reporters.
Officer Fitzgerald radioed dispatchers that he was in a foot chase with the three individuals. Police say two of the teens being chased - one of whom is the brother of the alleged shooter - hid during and were later stopped by a 22nd district police officer.
When additional officers arrived to provide backup, investigators say Fitzgerald was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the face and chest. He was rushed to Temple University Hospital where authorities say he died shortly after his arrival.
The two teens who were stopped by police - ages 16 and 17 - helped investigators identify 18-year-old Miles Pfeffer as the gunman who fired deadly shots at Officer Fitzgerald. Less than 24-hours later, investigators tracked down Pfeffer at his home in Buckingham Township.
Inspector Ernest Ransom told reporters on Tuesday that surveillance video shows the foot pursuit where Fitzgerald caught up with Pfeffer and a struggle ensued off-camera. Pfeffer is allegedly seen shooting Officer Fitzgerald three times, which caused him to collapse, and three more times as he laid on the ground.
"We hear the shots and see the muzzle flash, bang, bang, bang," Inspector Ransom said. "Pfeffer then shoots the officer as he is on the ground, three additional shots - bang, bang, bang."
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It's also alleged that Pfeffer tried to take Officer Fitzgerald's service weapon, then carjacked someone by threatening to kill them if they did not surrender their vehicle. He later abandoned the vehicle on the 1900 block of North 30th Street.
FOX 29's Kelly Rule reports that court documents say the night of the murder, Pfeffer's mother picked him up at 29th Street and Ridge Avenue, where sources say his father lives. She then drove him back to their home in Buckingham Township where he was arrested Sunday morning.
Law enforcement sources also said Pfeffer's mother was in Philadelphia for a wedding on Saturday night and dropped off Miles, his brother and a friend to meet up with friends. She arranged to pick them up after the wedding or whenever they were ready to leave, according to the source.
Rule reports through sources that Pfeffer may have tried to burn the murder weapon in a firepit at the home in Buckingham Township. Investigators may be using what they recovered from the home to track down information on the gun and if it's linked to other crimes.
"Forensic and technical analysis of weapons recovered from Pfeiffer's home, and I did say weapons because it's more than one in Bucks County and related to the murder and carjacking are underway," District Attorney Larry Krasner said.
Meanwhile, mourners gathered Tuesday at a vigil for Officer Fitzgerald near the bell tower on Temple's campus. The Fraternal Order of Police says a viewing will be held on for the husband and father of 5 on Thursday and he will be laid to rest on Friday morning.