A 36-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a traffic stop shooting that left a Philadelphia police officer fighting for his life.
A Philadelphia police officer was shot in the neck and is fighting for his life after a traffic stop in the city's Kensington neighborhood on Saturday night. The officer's partner drove him to the hospital, where he remained in critical condition.
According to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, the shooting happened around 8 p.m. when the officer and his partner conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with four individuals inside. Police later updated reporters during a press conference on Monday that Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez, 36, was in the car alone, and a 37-year-old male and two 33-year-old females arrived at the scene after officers initiated the traffic stop.
Philadelphia Police Officer Gravely Wounded in Kensington Traffic Stop Shooting
Officers determined that Vazquez did not have a driver's license and the vehicle was not registered. Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore told reporters that the car would be towed and confiscated.
During the inventory, the officers spotted a gun holster on a floorboard, Bethel said. After confronting the operator of the stopped vehicle, the man fled and fired three shots at the officers, Bethel said. One officer was struck in the neck, while the other officer fired at least one shot in return.
Philadelphia Police Officer Gravely Wounded in Kensington Traffic Stop Shooting
The wounded officer's partner drove him to the hospital, where he remained in critical condition. Mayor Cherelle Parker said on Saturday that the officer was "on life support. On a breathing machine. Fighting for his life."
Vazquez was taken into custody following two barricade situations, including taking a resident hostage inside his own home, according to authorities. Vazquez eventually let the man go free, and later surrendered to authorities without incident.
Philadelphia Police Officer Gravely Wounded in Kensington Traffic Stop Shooting
Vazquez was charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer, aggravated assault, evading arrest, home invasion, kidnapping, and a slew of other related charges. He is being held on $12.5 million bond.
The three other individuals who arrived at the scene before the shooting remain part of the investigation, though authorities said they are not facing charges at this time.
Philadelphia Police Officer Gravely Wounded in Kensington Traffic Stop Shooting
Officials have yet to publicly name the wounded officer.
