PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Philadelphia police officer was fatally shot and another injured during an incident at Philadelphia International Airport on Thursday night, according to authorities.
The officers had just arrived for their shift when they witnessed a vehicle break-in in the parking garage, said Interim Commissioner John Stanford. As they approached the suspects, the officers were fired upon, with one officer sustaining multiple gunshot wounds to the torso and the other being shot in the arm. The officer who was critically injured was pronounced dead at Penn Presbyterian Hospital, while the second officer is expected to survive at Jefferson Hospital.
The slain officer, a 22-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, leaves behind a spouse and one child, Stanford revealed. The tragic incident comes just a week after three officers were injured in another shooting, making it a devastating blow for the department. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting at the airport. However, Stanford mentioned that a possible suspect was taken to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia by private vehicle, where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities are now on the lookout for a black Dodge Durango that was seen fleeing the scene of the shooting by crashing through an airport gate, as captured on surveillance video. The police are analyzing the footage in hopes of identifying and locating the vehicle. The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement is urging anyone with information to come forward.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers that law enforcement officers face daily while protecting their communities. The Philadelphia Police Department and the entire city mourn the loss of a dedicated officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. As the investigation continues, the department will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.