The accused killer shot a Temple University police officer six times, and came back to try to rob him of his service weapon as he laid on the ground, police said at a Tuesday morning news conference to update the investigation and response into the killing.
“There are no words to express our heartbreak,” said Mayor Jim Kenney, saying he didn’t know Officer Christopher Fitzgerald personally but his reputation speaks for itself. “This is a tragedy that has unnerved our cities.”
Miles Pfeffer, 18, of Buckingham, is accused of fatally shooting Fitzgerald, 31, in what is the college police department’s first line-of-duty death.
Police said Tuesday the officer pursued Pfeffer and two other masked individuals, catching up to the suspect and telling him to “go to the ground.”
Fitzgerald tried to stop three people during a robbery in progress in the 1700 block of West Montgomery Avenue about 7:15 p.m. They fled on foot, and one of them, Pfeffer, fired at Fitzgerald, killing him, according to police.
Pfeffer shot Fitzgerald three times and the officer fell to the ground, where Pfeffer then shot three more round at the officer, authorities said.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office said Pfeffer shot Fitzgerald in the head, and tried to go through his pockets while Fitzgerald was on the ground wounded. The DA’s office said Pfeffer tried to steal Fitzgerald’s gun.
Several witnesses identified Pfeffer, police said. He reportedly stole a car near the scene shortly after, according to a DA’s office news release. Fitzgerald was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
On Sunday morning, police from local, state and federal agencies arrested Pfeffer at the Buckingham home, using Fitzgerald’s handcuffs. The U.S. Marshals Service, Central Bucks Special Response Team, Buckingham Police and Philadelphia Homicide Detectives arrested him at his home about 7:30 a.m.
Investigators spent a portion of the day searching the home and were seen on news footage going through a fire pit as Pfeffer allegedly told police he tried to melt the gun used in the shooting.
Fitzgerald, 31, joined the Temple force in October 2021 after spending time as a corrections officer in Lehigh County and as a member of the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office and housing authority police department.
He was married and the father of five children. A Go Fund Me campaign has been set up to support the family.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said Tuesday that Pfeffer will remain in custody where he can “no longer terrorize the members of our community.”
Temple President Jason Wingard said college in North Philadelphia is working on a safety plan and will release details soon. He said they have the support and resources of the state and city.
“We are fighting an uphill battle and it doesn’t have to be this way,” Kenney said. “I will continue to call on state lawmakers for sensible gun reforms that will protect our city’s residents, including the brave men and women who have taken an oath to protect the peace. You can say you back the blue, but if you vote back gun control, you don’t back to blue.”