The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office said Sunday that an 18-year-old man will be charged with murder in the shooting of a Temple University police officer.
The suspect, identified as Myles Pfeffer, also faces weapons crime charges in the murder of a law enforcement officer, robbery, carjacking, and the death of police officer Christopher Fitzgerald.
Pfeffer was arrested Sunday morning at his home in Bucks County without incident, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. An 18-year-old boy was detained using Fitzgerald handcuffs.
“This is a tradition that officers do whenever they go down,” said Supervisor Deputy Marshal Rob Clark. WPVI-TV.
Multiple weapons were also seized from a house owned by Pfeffer’s mother, sources said. CBS PhiladelphiaThe mother, who was at home at the time of her arrest, was also taken into custody for questioning.
Pfeiffer is not eligible for bail, officials confirmed.the source told Fox 29 He was known to local law enforcement in Bucks County.
Fitzgerald, 31, was fatally injured Saturday night while responding to an incident near campus, police said.
According to the affidavit of probable cause obtained, Fox 29, the suspect was caught by video surveillance firing at Fitzgerald after a brief chase and struggle on foot. After Fitzgerald fell to the ground, the suspect said, “Stand over him, [fired] A few more shots to the face and head area.
A temple student said CBS Philadelphia That the gunshot startled her. “I heard about eight shots,” she said. “I was just in shock and couldn’t believe it was happening so close to us.”
“Pfeffer is also alleged to have attempted to wrest the gun from Officer Fitzgerald and through his pocket while Officer Fitzgerald fell to the ground and was mortally wounded,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner. “Furthermore, Pfeffer is alleged to have committed a carjacking near the scene of a police officer’s murder shortly afterward,” it said in a statement Sunday.
The affidavit goes on to say that in a video of the suspect facing a carjacking victim, he can be heard saying, “Give me the keys or I’ll kill you.” According to the affidavit, the suspect fled in a car before being picked up by his mother and brought back home.
Fitzgerald will join the University Police Department in October 2021, the department said Sunday. Temple University President Jason Wingard said the incident was “heartbreaking” and “a poignant reminder of the bravery and sacrifice police officers make every day to protect our students, faculty, staff and communities.” rice field.
“Officer Fitzgerald selflessly gave his life to serve and protect this community,” said Jennifer Griffin, the university’s vice president for public safety, in a statement. “This loss leaves a huge hole in our hearts. He was his father, husband, son, colleague and friend.”
Fitzgerald was also the son of former Fort Worth Police Department chief Joel Fitzgerald, officials confirmed. grassOn Sunday, the Fort Worth Police Department issued statement Of Fitzgerald’s death, they said they honored his “selfless service and devotion to the protection and service of the public.”
Fitzgerald’s death is the first time a campus police officer at Temple University has been shot dead in more than 30 years, said Ken Kaiser, the university’s senior vice president and chief operating officer. Philadelphia Inquirer.
“It just shakes everyone to the core,” Kaiser said.
According to one source, Fitzgerald leaves behind a wife and four children. go fund me set up for his family.
“Not all heroes wear capes and Chris was definitely the hero of this community,” Fitzgerald’s cousin told CBS Philadelphia. “He didn’t have a cloak.”
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