Man accused of shooting Philadelphia police officer in Kensington, charged with attempted murder, police say

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia police have identified and announced charges for a man accused of shooting police officer in Kensington Saturday night.

Police identified the shooter as Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez, 36, and charged him with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, violations of the Firearms Uniform Act, evading arrest or detention on foot, and obstructing administration. of the law and other related charges on Sunday.

Vazquez also faced numerous charges for barricading himself in someone's home and pointing a gun to a person's head, police said. These charges include burglary, kidnapping, criminal trespass, unlawful restraint, simple assault, terroristic threats and other related charges.

The officer Vazquez is accused of shooting was taken to Temple University Hospital and admitted to the surgical intensive care unit Saturday evening, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said during a press conference. As of Sunday afternoon, investigators said the officer remained in critical condition. The identity of the officer is not known at this time.

At a press conference Saturday evening, Bethel explained what led to the shooting and asked the city to pray for the officer.

Bethel said that shortly before 8 p.m., two officers conducted a car stop in the 3500 block of F Street. Officers went from a car stop to an actual stop with the vehicle, which had four people inside, Bethel said.

During the traffic stop, officers inspected the car and checked the vehicle's inventory when they spotted a case. Bethel said to a man,
now identified as Vazquez, then began running away from the car, shooting the officer three times as he fled.

The police officer was struck at least once in the neck. His partner also discharged his gun after Vazquez shot the 31-year-old officer.

“Today I ask the people of the city of Philadelphia to pray for our officer and to pray for the men and women who are here today, who were on the ground knowing that they would give their lives to this work,” Bethel said. .