A Philadelphia police officer was shot and killed, and another officer was wounded when they confronted individuals breaking into a car at Philadelphia International Airport. The suspects opened fire as the officers approached, resulting in one officer’s death and the other officer being injured. The shooting occurred in the airport’s Terminal D garage, which was temporarily closed during the investigation. This incident comes just a week after three officers were shot and wounded while responding to a call.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In a tragic incident at Philadelphia International Airport on Thursday night, a Philadelphia police officer was shot and killed while another officer was wounded when they confronted individuals attempting to break into a car. The officers, who were arriving for work, noticed several people engaged in the criminal activity in the parking garage area.
As the officers approached, the suspects fired their weapons, hitting one officer multiple times in the upper body and the other in the arm, according to interim Police Commissioner John Stanford. Tragically, one officer succumbed to his injuries at the hospital shortly after 11:30 p.m. His identity has not been disclosed, but he was a 50-year-old veteran of the force with 22 years of service.
The officer who survived the attack is currently in stable condition. He is 60 years old and has served with the police department for 20 years. Both officers were assigned to the airport unit.
The suspects fled the scene in a stolen Dodge Durango, which is currently being sought by the authorities. Additionally, an 18-year-old male with two gunshot wounds was dropped off at a hospital and pronounced dead. While investigators believe he may have been involved in the shooting, they have not yet confirmed his connection to the incident.
The shooting occurred in the parking garage for Terminal D at the airport, leading to a temporary closure of the area during the initial investigation. However, it has since been reopened.
Interim Police Commissioner Stanford expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, particularly as it follows the recent shooting of three officers who were wounded while responding to a call. He emphasized the immense impact these tragedies have on the police department and the city as a whole.
The Philadelphia Police Department is actively working to apprehend the suspects involved in the shooting and gather more information about the incident..