PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania police officer was shot and killed Saturday near Temple University.
Update 12:30 p.m. EST Feb. 19: Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said the officer died while trying to intervene in a carjacking on Saturday night, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Earlier, Temple University officials said the officer had been trying to apprehend a robbery suspect.
Officials on Sunday identified the slain officer as Officer Christopher David Fitzgerald. Authorities took an 18-year-old described as a person of interest into custody in connection with the shooting on Sunday morning.
— Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Original report: In a statement obtained by KYW-TV, the Temple University Police Department confirmed that an officer was shot at 1700 W Montgomery Avenue on Saturday evening while attempting to apprehend a person suspected of robbing a convenience store near Cecil B. Moore and 15th Street.
Police said that the officer was taken to the hospital following the shooting but died from their injuries, according to KYW.
Citing the Philadelphia Police Department, WPVI reported that the officer was shot in the head around 7 p.m. Saturday.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro shared condolences for the family of the officer in a post on Twitter.
“Lori and I are devastated for the family of the Temple University police officer who was killed in the line of duty tonight, bravely serving his community. We’re sending prayers to his loved ones, Temple Police, and the entire @TempleUniv community. May his memory be a blessing,” Shapiro wrote.
Lori and I are devastated for the family of the Temple University police officer who was killed in the line of duty tonight, bravely serving his community.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) February 19, 2023
We’re sending prayers to his loved ones, Temple Police, and the entire @TempleUniv community. May his memory be a blessing.
Officials said in a statement on Saturday that they will not be releasing the officer’s identity yet “out of respect for the officer’s friends and family.”
No arrests have been announced, according to WPVI.
Temple University Police Department and Philadelphia Police Department are continuing to investigate. No further information has been released.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
