Temple University police officer shot in the head, but fellow officers took his equipment and turned on the suspect

Authorities said the man has been charged with murder, among other things, following the death of a Temple University police officer who was shot dead near campus on Saturday night.

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s office said 18-year-old Miles Pfeffer will be charged with murder, murder of a law enforcement officer, robbery, theft of an automobile and crimes with a weapon in connection with the death of Officer Christopher Fitzgerald, who prosecutors say was shot in the head while answering. to an incident near campus.

“It is alleged that Pfeffer also tried to steal Officer Fitzgerald’s gun and rummaged through his pockets while the officer lay on the ground and was mortally wounded,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said Sunday. “It is alleged that Pfeffer carried out a carjacking near the scene of the officer’s murder shortly thereafter.”

The Bucks County District Attorney’s office said Pfeffer was taken into custody shortly after 7 a.m. Sunday at his home in Buckingham Township by borough and Philadelphia police, as well as state and federal marshals. “Police used handcuffs from a fallen officer in arresting a suspect,” district attorneys said.

There was no information on whether Pfeffer had a lawyer; the number listed for his home was no longer in service.

Temple University officials said Fitzgerald has been with the university police since October 2021.

“Officer Fitzgerald gave his life to selflessly serve and protect this community,” University vice president of public safety Jennifer Griffin said in a statement. “This loss leaves a huge hole in all of our hearts. He was a father, husband, son, colleague and friend.”

University President Jason Wingard said he was “heartbroken” and called the shooting “an agonizing reminder of the daily bravery and sacrifice of our police officers to protect our students, faculty, staff and community” as the city and country deal with “an unprecedented epidemic of violence.” “.

Ken Kaiser, the university’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, said the Philadelphia Inquirer said it was the first death of a campus officer in a shooting in more than 30 years of his tenure at Temple. “It just shakes everyone to the core,” he said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro tweeted that he and First Lady Laurie were “devastated by the family of a Temple University police officer who was killed in the line of duty tonight while serving his community bravely.”

They sent prayers to his family, Temple police and the university community, he added, saying: “May his memory be a blessing.”

Joseph Regan, President of the State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, also expressed his condolences.

“There are no words to describe the news that another of our officers has been shot dead,” Reagan said in a statement. “This officer is a hero whose legacy and selfless act will forever remain in our hearts and memories.”

It was the first fatality in an off-duty police officer in Philadelphia since 2020, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Western Journal reviewed this Associated Press article and may have revised it prior to publication to meet our editorial standards.