Temple University officer shooting: What we know about the case, funeral services
A shooting Saturday night claimed the life of a 31-year-old Temple University police officer, the Philadelphia college's first line of duty death in its history.
Police have charged Miles Pfeffer, 18, of Buckingham, with murder, robbery and carjacking in the killing of Officer Chris Fitzgerald. Police are still investigating, but here's what we know as of Monday afternoon:
The latest:Temple University Officer Christopher Fitzgerald was shot 6 times. Tragedy has 'unnerved our city'
Funeral services set for Officer Chris Fitzgerald
On Monday night, the Philadelphia FOP Lodge #5 shared funeral information for the fallen officer.
A viewing will be held Thursday form 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Givnish Funeral Home at 10975 Academy Road in Philadelphia and Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at 1723 Race St.
The funeral service will immediately follow and interment will be at the Forest Hills Cemetery at 101 Byberry Road in Huntingdon Valley.
The university is also having a vigil Tuesday to mourn and honor the life of Fitzgerald. It is at 4 p.m. at the Bell Tower on campus.
More:Temple University police officer to be laid to rest Friday; Bucks County man arraigned in shooting
Temple University, city mourns:Temple University police officer shot and killed near campus; Bucks County man charged with murder
Officer Chris Fitzgerald fatally shot during investigation Saturday night
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.
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.
What happened on Quarry Road in Buckingham?
Pfeffer was arrested Sunday morning and formally charged with murder and other offenses in the Fitzgerald's death hours later.
Police said he fled the murder scene and returned to his Quarry Road home, a 20-acre property called Boxley Farm, some 42 miles away from the North Philadelphia campus. Published reports say Pfeffer, who turned 18 last month, reportedly called his mother to pick him up in the city. They have lived in Buckingham since 2018.
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.
He is charged with murder, murder of a law enforcement officer, robbery, carjacking and weapons crimes. He was arraigned Monday and will have a preliminary hearing March 7.
Where did Miles Pfeffer get the gun and were others involved?
It is not known where Pfeffer got the gun used in the shooting. Attempts to get additional information Monday were not successful.
No one else has been charged in the shooting, but Temple University and Philadelphia police are still investigating.
The Bucks County District Attorney's Office said no charges were filed against Pfeffer in Bucks County.
Who is Miles Pfeffer?
On his Instagram posts, Pfeffer flashed cash and showed his love for dirt bikes. One post read, "Work smart not hard make stupid decisions face stupid consequences."
Pfeffer attended classes in the Central Bucks School District through September 2019.
He remains in custody and is ineligible for bail, which was formally denied at a hearing Monday.
Who was Temple University Officer Chris Fitzgerald?
Temple University Officer Chris Fitzgerald was working his patrol shift on and around the North Philadelphia campus Saturday when he was shot in the head and killed. He had intervened in a robbery in progress.
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 four children. A Go Fund Me campaign has been set up to support the family.
Last night we lost our brother Chris Fitzgerald who was a Temple University Police Officer. Chris was also one the founding members of the Philadelphia Hood 2 Hood Run Series. Which is a collab between BMR PHL & Swagga House Run Club focused on Stopping Gun Violence citywide 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/oJUKCKpwts
— Black Men Run Philly (@BMR_PHL) February 19, 2023
Fitzgerald was also an avid runner and founder of the Philadelphia Hood 2 Hood Running Series, and worked with the group to promote an end to gun violence in the city.
His father has a long history in law enforcement. Joel Fitzgerald spent 17 years on the Philadelphia force and was the former police chief in Allentown. He is now the Chief of Police and Emergency Management for the Regional Transportation District in Denver.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Temple officer shooting: Chris Fitzgerald, Miles Pfeffer lives collide
