PHILADELPHIA, PA – A deadly shooting at Philadelphia International Airport has left one police officer dead and another injured. The incident occurred on Thursday during an attempted break-in at the airport’s parking lot, as reported by local media.
The officers were responding to suspects trying to break into a vehicle when they were fired upon. One officer was hit multiple times in the torso and later succumbed to his injuries at Penn Presbyterian Hospital. The other officer, who was shot in the arm, is expected to recover after receiving treatment at Jefferson Hospital.
Interim Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Stanford expressed his grief and determination in a statement. He shared that local authorities are filled with anger, devastation, and heartbreak. Standford confirmed that one officer of the responding officers tragically lost his life, while another is recovering. He also vowed to continue the search for the perpetrators until they are all apprehended.
The fallen officer, a 22-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, leaves behind a wife and a child. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. However, authorities are on the lookout for a black Dodge Durango that was seen leaving the scene by crashing through an airport gate.
District Attorney Larry Krasner pointed to the incident as an example of the consequences of lax gun control. He criticized “gun-crazy politicians” who oppose gun regulations, arguing that their policies contribute to such violent incidents.