Officer Killed and Another Injured in Shooting at Philadelphia International Airport
PHILADELPHIA – Tragedy struck at the Philadelphia International Airport on Thursday night as a Philadelphia police officer was shot and killed, while another was injured, inside a parking garage. The incident unfolded when the two officers had just arrived for work and came across a group of suspects attempting to break into a vehicle in the garage.
According to Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford, the officers approached the suspects who opened fire. One officer was shot multiple times in the torso, while the other was shot in the arm. The critically injured officer was immediately rushed to Penn Presbyterian Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after 11:30 p.m. The second officer was taken to Jefferson Hospital and is currently in stable condition.
The fallen officer was identified as a 22-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and leaves behind a spouse and child. Commissioner Stanford described the incident as a “numb moment” for the department, especially after three officers were injured in a shooting last week.
Members of the Philadelphia Police Department, along with the fallen officer’s family, gathered at the hospital to pay their respects before escorting the body to the medical examiner’s office and then a local funeral home.
City leaders, filled with “anger, devastation, and heartbreak,” expressed their condolences for the officers and their families. Mayor James Kenney offered his thoughts and prayers, describing the incident as a “tragic loss.”
District Attorney Larry Krasner called on the public to come forward with any information that may aid in identifying the suspects responsible for the officers’ shooting. He emphasized the risks that police officers face every day, encountering individuals who should not possess firearms and are willing to use them senselessly.
As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the deadly shooting. However, police believe a possible suspect was taken to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia by private vehicle, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities are now searching for a black Dodge Durango, which was seen fleeing the scene by crashing through an airport gate. Surveillance videos are being analyzed in an effort to locate the vehicle.
During the investigation, Terminal D and the Terminal D parking garage were temporarily closed but have since reopened. The Philadelphia Police Department is determined to apprehend all those responsible for this heinous act and has asked the public for their support in identifying the suspects.
This tragic incident serves as a painful reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers every day as they work tirelessly to keep their communities safe.