Temple University police officer shot and killed near campus; Bucks County man charged with murder

A Temple University police officer was shot and killed Saturday night near the campus in North Philadelphia.

Authorities did locate a car in the city that they believe the suspect was driving Saturday night and a Bucks County man, identified as Miles Pfeffer, 18, of Buckingham, was taken into custody Sunday morning at his Quarry Road home in connection with the case.

The Philadelphia District Attorney's office said Pfeffer will face charges of murder, murder of a law enforcement officer, robbery, carjacking and weapons crimes in the death of Officer Christopher Fitzgerald, who prosecutors said was shot in the head while responding to an incident near campus.

“Pfeffer is also alleged to have attempted to rob Officer Fitzgerald of his gun and to have gone through his pockets, while the officer was laying on the ground and fatally wounded,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a statement Sunday. “Pfeffer is further alleged to have committed a carjacking a short time after, close to the location of the officer’s murder.”

The DA said Fitzgerald encountered Pfeffer on Saturday night during the course of an investigation near the border of Temple’s campus.

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Fitzgerald was shot while on-duty at 1700 W. Montgomery Avenue and was later pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital.

"Officer Fitzgerald gave his life to selflessly serve and defend this community. The courage and bravery he displayed highlights the day-to-day sacrifice made by our Temple University Police Officers to keep our community safe. This loss leaves an enormous hole in all of our hearts. He was a father, a husband, a son, a colleague, and a friend," said Jennifer Griffin, vice president for public safety at the college, is a statement Sunday.

Fitzgerald was hired by Temple in October 2021. He was a married father of four children. A fund has been set up for the family on Go Fund Me. In several hours, close to $100,000 was raised by Sunday night.

He is the first university officer to have been killed in the line of duty, officials said.

Arrest of Miles Pfeffer in Bucks County

The Temple University Police Association confirmed Sunday in a Twitter post that “a suspect has been taken into custody for the murder of one of our police officers." The organization said it had been told "that the arrest was made using our fallen officer's handcuffs.”

Robert Clark, supervisory deputy for the U.S. Marshal, said the 18-year-old was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of the officer at 7:30 a.m. Sunday with assistance from the Central Bucks Special Response Team, Buckingham Police, Philadelphia Homicide Detectives and US Marshals.

Pfeffer was taken to Police Headquarters in Philadelphia where he was processed and charged. He will remain in custody ineligible for bail as he is charged with murder.

Authorities spent the day on the 20-acre estate where Pfeffer lived with his mother, searching for evidence. The home sits on a rural road back from the street with a sign that reads "Boxley Farm" out front. Records show the family has lived there since 2018.

The Quakertown Police K9 unit said it assisted other law enforcement, including agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with executing the warrant for Pfeffer. "K9 Jax also assisted with the day long search of the weapon used in the homicide," the unit posted on social media.

Investigation of Temple University shooting continues

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Both the Philadelphia Police Department and the Temple University Police Department are investigating.

"There are simply no words that can make sense of such a tragedy. It tears at our sense of community, and wounds us to our very soul.," the university statement read. "Temple has lost an officer and hero to senseless violence.  Our thoughts are with the victim's family, friends and the entire Temple community during this tremendously difficult time."

The Temple University Police Association said details of the shooting were still incomplete, but Fitzgerald was killed in the line of duty. WPVI-TV reported that the officer was shot in the head, and there were no immediate arrests.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said in a Saturday news conference that the officer intervened in a carjacking and was shot.

"(The Philadelphia Police Department) is doing everything that we can to make sure that not only is this person responsible taken into custody and brought to justice, but for every other suspect out there that is doing the same and wishing harm amongst our law enforcement community and our Philadelphia community," she said.

University president Jason Wingard said he was “heartbroken” and called the shooting “a gut-wrenching reminder of our police officers’ daily bravery and sacrifices to protect our students, faculty, staff and community” as the city and the nation deal with “an unprecedented epidemic of violence.”

Ken Kaiser, the university's senior vice president and chief operating officer, was quoted by the Philadelphia Inquirer as saying it was the first shooting death of a campus officer during his more than 30 years at Temple. “It just shakes everybody to the core,” he said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro tweeted that he and first lady Lori were “devastated for the family of the Temple University police officer who was killed in the line of duty tonight, bravely serving his community.”

They sent prayers to his family, Temple police and the university community, he added, saying, “May his memory be a blessing.” Shapiro later order flags in Pennsylvania to be flown at half staff for Fitzgerald.

Joseph Regan, president of the Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge, also expressed condolences.

“There are no words to describe the news of another one of our officers being shot,” Regan said in a statement. “This officer is a hero whose legacy and unselfish act will live in our hearts and memories forever.”

It was the first fatal shooting of an on-duty police officer in Philadelphia since 2020, according to the Inquirer.

Bucks County assists

Bucks County authorities are working with state, Philadelphia, and federal authorities in this ongoing investigation., according to the county District Attorney's Office.

"Out of respect for the fallen officer and so as not to impede the ongoing investigation, we are deferring to the Philadelphia Police Department and the Temple University Police Department to release additional information ... Additionally, no charges have been filed against this suspect in Bucks County. We, at the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the fallen Temple University Police Officer," the DA's release reads.

There was no immediate word on whether Pfeffer had an attorney; a number listed for his home was no longer in service.

Second officer killed on duty this month in Pennsylvania

Gun violence against law enforcement has already taken a toll in Pennsylvania.

"For the third time this year, the second time in less two weeks, Pennsylvania has suffered the tragedy of a police officer killed by the violence wrought by firearms. Today we join in mourning with the communities of Temple University and the City of Philadelphia, and the family of Officer Fitzgerald, who died a hero bravely responding to a dangerous and volatile situation," said Acting Attorney General Michelle Henry. " I want to offer my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones, who knew the danger he confronted in his job and supported him in his chosen profession - as do all families of law enforcement officers."

On Feb. 6, Officer Sean Sluganski was killed in the line of duty when he responded to a domestic incident in McKeesport in western Pennsylvania. Another officer was wounded.

In January, a man fatally shot a Brackenridge police chief Justin McIntire and wounding another officer in confrontations during a foot pursuit near Pittsburgh, authorities said. The suspect was killed.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Temple University police officer shot, killed