Eighteen year old Miles Pfeffer has been arrested for the murder of Temple University police officer Chris Fitzgerald. According to police reports Officer Chris Fitzgerald was attempted to stop a carjacking in Philadelphia when he was shot in the head. The officer was rushed to the hospital however would pass away from his injuries. US Marshalls would track down and arrest teen Miles Pfeffer. Other news sources are saying that Miles Pfeffer comes from a wealthy family and are trying to figure out why he would murder the officer. Officer Chris Fitzgerald death marks the first time a Temple University police officer was fatally shot while on duty.
Miles Pfeffer More News
The Philadelphia Police Department confirmed a Temple University police officer was shot and killed Saturday night
The officer was trying to intervene with a carjacking when he was shot, according to officers. He was rushed to the hospital, but died shortly after arriving.
“Our hearts are broken,” Dr. Jennifer Griffin, Temple University’s Head of Public Safety, wept during a press conference. “We’re devastated at the loss of a Temple University police officer who was protecting and safe guarding our community when they were taken from us.”
This officer was the first and only Temple University police officer who has ever died in the line of duty.
“I just met with his wife and his family, and his fellow police officers. There are no words to convey just how heartbroken we all are,” Temple University’s president, Jason Wingard, said during the press conference.
NBC10 in Philadelphia reported the fallen officer as 31-year-old Chris Fitzgerald.
The Temple University Police Association confirmed a suspect was in custody for the killing around 8 a.m. Sunday. The suspect was arrested with the fallen officer’s handcuffs. NBC10 reported the suspect as Miles Pfeffer, 18, but the Philadelphia Police Department has not released an official statement yet
The Temple University Association set up a memorial to remember the officer with photos, candles and flowers.
Miles Pfeffer More News
An arrest has been made in connection with the death of a Temple University police officer who was shot and killed while trying to stop a carjacking on Saturday night in North Philadelphia.
Miles Pfeffer, 18, was arrested at 7:12 a.m. Sunday in the 2300 block of Quarry Road in Buckingham Twp., Bucks County.
It is not yet known if Miles Pfeffer is the suspected gunman. Action News was told the suspect is from a prominent and wealthy family.
The U.S. Marshals have identified the fallen officer as Chris Fitzgerald.
Miles Pfeffer was taken into custody using Fitzgerald’s handcuffs.
“It’s a tradition that we do any time there’s a fallen officer, and we thought it was important to remember Ofc. Fitzgerald… by placing his cuffs on the suspect,” said Supervisor Deputy U.S Marshal Rob Clark.
The Action Cam was there as a procession of police vehicles brought the suspect to Philadelphia Police Headquarters
The shooting happened at about 7 p.m. Saturday near 18th Street and Montgomery Avenue as Ofc. Fitzgerald was on patrol.
Students there say they saw a fellow student get out of a black sedan when a male approached him and demanded his keys.
Nearby surveillance video captured audio of the incident.
“Give me the keys, give me the keys. I’ll kill you, swear to God,” the suspect is heard saying.
Ofc. Fitzgerald was shot in the head as he tried to intervene. He was taken to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Action News has learned police have located the car involved in the carjacking.
This is the first time a Temple University police officer has been shot and killed in the line of duty
Dozens of police officers and community members gathered outside the hospital grieving for the loss of one of their own.
“There are simply no words that can make sense of such a tragedy. It tears at our sense of community, and wounds us to our very soul. Temple has lost an officer and hero to senseless violence. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, friends and the entire Temple community during this tremendously difficult time,” a statement from Temple University said.
During a news conference Saturday night outside the hospital, Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said the investigation is ongoing
“(The Philadelphia Police Department) is doing everything that we can to make sure that not only is this person responsible taken into custody and brought to justice, but for every other suspect out there that is doing the same and wishing harm amongst our law enforcement community and our Philadelphia community,” she said.
In a tweet, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said his office was already collaborating with police to bring the responsible parties to justice.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call police at 215-204-1234.
https://abc7ny.com/temple-police-officer-shot-university-injured-philly-shooting/12839276/
MIles Pfeffer Charged
The U.S. Marshals office picked up a man Sunday at 7 a.m. in connection with the fatal shooting of a Temple University police officer. Sources tell CBS News Philadelphia that the 18-year-old man has been arrested in Buckingham Township, Bucks County.
He was later identified as Miles Pfeffer of Buckingham Township. Pfeffer turned 18 in January 2023.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office announces that Pfeffer will be charged with murder, murder of a law enforcement officer, robbery, carjacking, firearm offenses, possession of an instrument of crime, and related offenses. The DA’s office also adds that “Pfeffer is ineligible for release on bail.”
Authorities also identified the late police officer as Chris Fitzgerald
The U.S. Marshals office had a warrant signed Sunday morning, they say.
The Temple University Police Association tweeted, “We can confirm that a suspect has been taken into custody for the murder of one of our police officers.”
Authorities say the officer tried to stop a carjacking blocks away from Temple’s campus when he was shot.
According to the university, this is the first Temple police officer to be killed in the line of duty.
