A Temple University police officer has died following a shooting Saturday evening in North Philadelphia, authorities said. According to Philadelphia police, the shooting happened at about 7 p.m. near 18th Street and Montgomery Avenue. The officer was shot in the head and was on patrol at the time.
The wounded officer, who has not yet been publicly identified, was taken to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Dozens of police officers and community members gathered outside the hospital grieving for the loss of one of their own. Officials said this was the first Temple police officer to be killed in the line of duty.
The shooting happened as the officer was trying to intervene in a carjacking, officials said. Action News has learned police have located the car involved in the carjacking.
“Out of respect for the officer’s friends and family, we will not be releasing his identity at this time. 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.
Mayor Jim Kenney said he was “heartbroken” and “outraged” by the shooting.
Gov. Josh Shapiro tweeted that he was “devastated” for the family whose loved one died “bravely serving his community.”
Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Joseph Regan echoed those sentiments.
“There are no words to describe the news of another one of our officers being shot. This officer is a hero whose legacy and unselfish act will live in our hearts and memories forever. The 40,000 men and women of the PA FOP send their deepest condolences to the family of this hero and to the Temple University Police Department during this extremely difficult time,” Regan said in a statement.
No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call police at 215-204-1234.
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