PHILADELPHIA, PA - Philadelphia police detectives provided the press with additional details in the distressing case of a traffic stop that ended in the near-fatal shooting of a six-year veteran officer on Saturday. Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez, 36, was taken into custody after firing on two officers "without provocation" during a "live-stop" towing.
The officer is still fighting for his life at the time of this writing.
According to Fox29, citing the District Attorney's Office, Vazquez was pulled over by police initiating a "live stop" on Epps Street shortly after 7:00 p.m. The driver, identified as Vazquez by the DA, had no drivers license and was driving in an unregistered Toyota. Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore told reporters that the vehicle was set to be towed away by the Philadelphia Parking Authority and impounded.
The outlet reported that three people joined Vazquez to help him remove items from the car prior to its towing. However, as officers inventoried the contents of the vehicle, one of them spotted an empty holster on the floor. When the two officers approached Vazquez to ask him about it, he threw down the items he'd taken and began to flee.
As the police officers gave pursuit, the suspect reportedly turned on them and fired three shots, striking one of the officers and wounding him in behind the ear.
The stricken officer's partner returned fire and then rendered aid to his fallen colleague.
Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore told Fox29, "The tow truck driver was really integral in helping get him into the car and get him to the hospital so fast." He added, "Then he stayed on the scene, guarding that scene pretty much for us until other officers arrived."
According to reporting from CBS News, the 31-year-old officer was still in critical condition.
Mayor Parker told Fox 29 that the officer was placed"on life support; on a breathing machine."
Vazquez fled the scene, broke into a nearby home, and barricaded himself. He was captured by a SWAT team shortly after. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner told reporters, "What this family has gone through is unspeakable," according to The Post Millennial.
"It is unacceptable. We cannot have this in this city, for this family, for law enforcement officers in general. We cannot have this happening in our communities. My office intends to do everything we can to support this victim, this victim's family, this victim's fellow officers, all of law enforcement, and the communities that are most affected. We are outraged, we are heartbroken, by this horrific incident," Krasner said
All four suspects involved in the original incident have been arrested. Vazquez is facing charges including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, evading arrest or detention on foot, obstructing the administration of law and violations of the Uniform Firearms Act.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker wrote in a post to Facebook that the officer is "on life support" and asked the city to pray for a "a husband, a father, and a son" lauding the injured officer for doing "a noble job under very tough circumstances."
Court documents reveal that Vazquez has shot at police before. He is reportedly being held on $12.5 million bail.
The officer is still fighting for his life at the time of this writing.
According to Fox29, citing the District Attorney's Office, Vazquez was pulled over by police initiating a "live stop" on Epps Street shortly after 7:00 p.m. The driver, identified as Vazquez by the DA, had no drivers license and was driving in an unregistered Toyota. Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore told reporters that the vehicle was set to be towed away by the Philadelphia Parking Authority and impounded.
The outlet reported that three people joined Vazquez to help him remove items from the car prior to its towing. However, as officers inventoried the contents of the vehicle, one of them spotted an empty holster on the floor. When the two officers approached Vazquez to ask him about it, he threw down the items he'd taken and began to flee.
As the police officers gave pursuit, the suspect reportedly turned on them and fired three shots, striking one of the officers and wounding him in behind the ear.
The stricken officer's partner returned fire and then rendered aid to his fallen colleague.
Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore told Fox29, "The tow truck driver was really integral in helping get him into the car and get him to the hospital so fast." He added, "Then he stayed on the scene, guarding that scene pretty much for us until other officers arrived."
According to reporting from CBS News, the 31-year-old officer was still in critical condition.
Mayor Parker told Fox 29 that the officer was placed"on life support; on a breathing machine."
Vazquez fled the scene, broke into a nearby home, and barricaded himself. He was captured by a SWAT team shortly after. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner told reporters, "What this family has gone through is unspeakable," according to The Post Millennial.
"It is unacceptable. We cannot have this in this city, for this family, for law enforcement officers in general. We cannot have this happening in our communities. My office intends to do everything we can to support this victim, this victim's family, this victim's fellow officers, all of law enforcement, and the communities that are most affected. We are outraged, we are heartbroken, by this horrific incident," Krasner said
All four suspects involved in the original incident have been arrested. Vazquez is facing charges including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, evading arrest or detention on foot, obstructing the administration of law and violations of the Uniform Firearms Act.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker wrote in a post to Facebook that the officer is "on life support" and asked the city to pray for a "a husband, a father, and a son" lauding the injured officer for doing "a noble job under very tough circumstances."
Court documents reveal that Vazquez has shot at police before. He is reportedly being held on $12.5 million bail.
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