Bail set at $12.5 million for man accused of shooting Philadelphia police officer

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia's police commissioner and other city officials provided an update Monday on the investigation involving Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez, the man accused of shoot an officer in Kensington this weekend.

On Sunday, authorities charged Vazquez36, for attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and numerous other offenses, including aggravated assault and criminal trespass.

The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office said Monday that Vazquez's bond was set at $12.5 million.

Police said the 31-year-old officer, who had been on the force for about six years, was shot at least once in the neck on Saturday and was rushed to hospital where he remains in condition. critical. Over the weekend, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said the officer, whose name was withheld at the family's request, was on life support.

“He’s in a battle,” Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said Monday. “They asked us not to share any additional information, but to continue to ask the community for their prayers.”

“What this family went through is indescribable,” prosecutor Larry Krasner said. “This is unacceptable. We cannot allow this to happen in this city, to this family, to law enforcement officers in general. We cannot allow this to happen in our communities. My office intends to do everything in our power to support this victim, this victim's family, this victim's fellow law enforcement officers, all law enforcement agencies, and the communities most impacted.

Police say Vazquez is accused of opening fire on two officers Saturday night in the 3600 block of F Street after police stopped a car shortly after 7:15 p.m.

During Monday's news conference, Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said that after officers stopped the vehicle, which police said was driven by Vazquez, they determined the stop would become a “live stop.” ”, which means that a tow truck would be called to confiscate the vehicle.

Vanore explained that this was because the driver did not have a license, the car was not registered and there were no other documents associated with the vehicle.

During the stop, police said Vazquez made a phone call, after which two 33-year-old women and a 37-year-old man arrived in another vehicle. Police initially said four people were inside the car that was stopped, but Vanore clarified Monday that the other three people at the scene arrived separately.

While searching the car before it was towed, Vanore said officers spotted a gun holster on the floorboard. When approached by police, Vanore said Vazquez allegedly dropped what he was holding, ran and, while running, turned and fired three shots at the two officers.

The injured officer's partner fought back once, Vanore said, before returning to help his partner into a car and to Temple University Hospital.

Vanore said the video captured the sequence of events that occurred after Vazquez allegedly fired his gun. He said the alleged shooter was seen on camera running, at one point with a gun in his hand, toward a garage on G Street, where he took off his white shirt and kept a shirt on dark color while continuing to run.

At the intersection of G and Tioga streets, Vanore said video showed the shooter approaching a brown minivan and attempting to get into the vehicle, which fled before he got into it. have the opportunity.

About 15 minutes after the shooting, police said Vazquez approached a man sitting on the front porch of his home and forced him into his home at gunpoint. Vanore said that person was eventually released from the home, but Vazquez remained inside. He was eventually removed from the house without further incident, Vanore said.

An arrest warrant issued at that property turned up a gun, Vanore said.

“I had the honor and pleasure of meeting our officer’s family yesterday while spending a few hours at Temple Hospital,” Bethel said. “And what an amazing, strong family he has. I continue to ask you, the community and others to continue to pray for their family.”

The community gathered in front of the 12th District Police Station Monday afternoon to support the officer who continues to fight for his life.

“I just sent all kinds of emails and texts and calls and asked if you could meet me here,” said Philadelphia Police Chaplain Beverly Clayburn. “So we could offer a prayer for the injured officer as well as the entire PPD. And just talk about him and pray for him because it's so important.”

Clayburn said the injured officer started out in the 12th District when he first joined the force.

The crowd consisted of fellow officers, neighbors and religious leaders, all connected around prayer.