Police officer killed in capturing after break-in at Philadelphia airport storage, authorities say

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Philadelphia police officer was shot and killed and a second officer was wounded after they confronted individuals breaking right into a automotive at Philadelphia Worldwide Airport, police stated.

Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford stated veteran officers Richard Mendez and Raul Ortiz had simply arrived at work round 11 p.m. Thursday after they heard breaking glass and noticed a number of individuals breaking right into a car within the parking storage space. A confrontation ensued, and Mendez was shot a number of occasions. Ortiz was shot as soon as in his arm, Stanford stated, and one of many suspects was additionally wounded.

Each officers have been taken to hospitals, however Mendez was pronounced useless about half-hour later, Stanford stated. Ortiz remained hospitalized Friday in secure situation. Each have been assigned to the airport unit.

The suspects fled the scene in an SUV that authorities later realized had been reported stolen within the metropolis a few week in the past. The car was later seen at a hospital in Philadelphia dropping off 18-year-old Jesus Herman Madera Duran, who authorities say was believed to be concerned within the confrontation with the officers. Duran was shot within the chest, stomach and left arm and was pronounced useless round 11:30 p.m. Thursday.

It wasn’t clear if another suspects have been wounded within the capturing, authorities stated, or what number of of them had fired weapons.

The capturing passed off within the storage for the airport’s Terminal D, which was briefly closed through the preliminary investigation however later reopened. Stanford famous that the capturing got here solely every week after three officers were shot and wounded whereas responding to a name.

“A numb, numb second for us, to once more encounter one thing like this,” he stated.

Mendez, 50, was a 22-year veteran of the pressure and was married with one daughter. His gun has not been positioned, Stanford stated, and it isn’t but recognized if anybody fired the weapon through the confrontation.

Ortiz, 60, is a 20-year veteran of the division. He’s married with three kids.

Philadelphia District Legal professional Larry Krasner stated legislation enforcement employees throughout a number of businesses have been working to determine these accountable however stated they lacked the flexibility to match crime scene ballistics to firearms by way of a database of gun gross sales, citing an absence of gun regulation. Pennsylvania state legislation prevents legislation enforcement and authorities businesses from having firearm registries.

Joseph Regan, president of the Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge, mourned the officer’s demise and stated members have been praying for the wounded officer.

“We misplaced a hero,” Regan stated.

A reward of $148,500 was being supplied for info resulting in an arrest. Two native police unions — Philadelphia’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 and Lodge 27 in Delaware County — initially supplied a mixed $30,000 to fund the reward. They quickly obtained donations from quite a few police teams, companies and residents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The reward can be along with a $20,000 reward that town has supplied for info that results in an arrest and conviction.

Talking Friday at a information convention to announce the police unions’ reward, Lodge 5 President John McNesby stated town’s police pressure was “undermanned” and stated extra officers have been wanted within the streets. He additionally was essential of the district legal professional’s workplace, saying that if violent offenders aren’t prosecuted “that sends a message they will do what they need.”

Calling the 2 officers “standouts” and noting their lengthy service to town, McNesby stated the loss was a tricky one for his or her colleagues and the division.

“I noticed extra tears final night time than I’ve ever seen in all my years right here,” McNesby stated.

President Joe Biden, who was in Philadelphia on Friday, supplied his condolences the households of the officers.

“They put their lives on the road to guard this group,” he stated.

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Bruce Shipkowski reported from Toms River, New Jersey.