PHILADELPHIA, PA – Authorities in New Jersey arrested a suspect earlier in October who officials say played a role in the fatal shooting of Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Mendez during a confrontation over a suspected vehicle break-in.
On the evening of October 12th, 50-year-old Officer Mendez and 60-year-old Officer Raul Ortiz were scheduled to work at Philadelphia International Airport.
At approximately 11:00 p.m., the two officers were coming into work via parking garage D at the airport when they reportedly witnessed what they believed to be a vehicle break-in being perpetuated by a group of individuals.
When the two officers attempted to confront the group of miscreants, Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford stated that “the suspects opened fire” on the officers, striking both. Officer Mendez was reportedly struck several times in the upper body, whereas Officer Ortiz was struck in the arm.
Both of the officers were rushed to an area hospital, with Officer Mendez being pronounced deceased shortly after his arrival. Officer Ortiz was last reported as being in stable condition.
Following the shootout with the suspects, authorities say the assailants fled the parking garage in a stolen black Dodge Durango, with the group apparently dropping off an 18-year-old at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia at approximately 11:30 p.m. who’d seemingly sustained return gunfire from the officers during the incident.
The 18-year-old, identified as Jesus Herman Madera-Duran, was pronounced deceased within minutes of his arrival at the hospital.
Roughly two hours after the original incident, police located the stolen Dodge Durango in the South Brunswick area of northern New Jersey, with officials noting the vehicle had been set ablaze likely in an effort to obfuscate potential evidence.
In the days following the fatal shooting of Officer Mendez, an arrest has finally been made in connection with the investigation, with authorities in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, arresting 18-year-old Yobranny Martinez Fernandez on October 16th.
The U.S. Marshals’ Philadelphia branch shared photos of Fernandez’s arrest via X, where the law enforcement agency emphasized that the fallen officer’s handcuffs were used to secure the suspect.
In a press conference held after the suspect’s arrest, Philadelphia Police Interim First Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore stated that authorities located Fernandez at the Days Inn on Route 38 shortly after receiving intel on his whereabouts.
Deputy Commissioner Vanore added that authorities still aren’t sure who amid the group during the original incident fired the fatal shots at Officer Mendez, but authorities are still searching for two additional suspects connected to the murder.
As for Fernandez, he’s currently in custody in New Jersey and is awaiting extradition to Philadelphia.
On the evening of October 12th, 50-year-old Officer Mendez and 60-year-old Officer Raul Ortiz were scheduled to work at Philadelphia International Airport.
At approximately 11:00 p.m., the two officers were coming into work via parking garage D at the airport when they reportedly witnessed what they believed to be a vehicle break-in being perpetuated by a group of individuals.
When the two officers attempted to confront the group of miscreants, Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford stated that “the suspects opened fire” on the officers, striking both. Officer Mendez was reportedly struck several times in the upper body, whereas Officer Ortiz was struck in the arm.
Both of the officers were rushed to an area hospital, with Officer Mendez being pronounced deceased shortly after his arrival. Officer Ortiz was last reported as being in stable condition.
Following the shootout with the suspects, authorities say the assailants fled the parking garage in a stolen black Dodge Durango, with the group apparently dropping off an 18-year-old at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia at approximately 11:30 p.m. who’d seemingly sustained return gunfire from the officers during the incident.
The 18-year-old, identified as Jesus Herman Madera-Duran, was pronounced deceased within minutes of his arrival at the hospital.
Roughly two hours after the original incident, police located the stolen Dodge Durango in the South Brunswick area of northern New Jersey, with officials noting the vehicle had been set ablaze likely in an effort to obfuscate potential evidence.
In the days following the fatal shooting of Officer Mendez, an arrest has finally been made in connection with the investigation, with authorities in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, arresting 18-year-old Yobranny Martinez Fernandez on October 16th.
The U.S. Marshals’ Philadelphia branch shared photos of Fernandez’s arrest via X, where the law enforcement agency emphasized that the fallen officer’s handcuffs were used to secure the suspect.
In a press conference held after the suspect’s arrest, Philadelphia Police Interim First Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore stated that authorities located Fernandez at the Days Inn on Route 38 shortly after receiving intel on his whereabouts.
Deputy Commissioner Vanore added that authorities still aren’t sure who amid the group during the original incident fired the fatal shots at Officer Mendez, but authorities are still searching for two additional suspects connected to the murder.
As for Fernandez, he’s currently in custody in New Jersey and is awaiting extradition to Philadelphia.
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