Police officer dies in Philadelphia shooting
PHILADELPHIA - Two brothers have been charged with murder in the death of a Philadelphia police officer who was gunned down Thursday during a video game store robbery.
Philadelphia police commissioner Charles Ramsey said Friday morning that one suspect is a 24-year-old with a prior arrest for aggravated assault. His 29-year-old brother is on parole for robbery.
Police officer Robert Wilson III was shot and killed during an attempted store robbery at a GameStop store in North Philadelphia Thursday afternoon, reports CBS Philadelphia.
Wilson, 30, was an eight-year veteran of the force. He had gone into the store to buy a gift for his son as a reward for getting good grades.
According to police, Officer Wilson had entered the GameStop store and while he was waiting in line, two individuals came in and announced a robbery. Police say there was an exchange of gunfire, and the officer's partner, waiting outside in the squad car, responded after hearing the sound of gunshots. The partner also exchanged gunfire with at least one of the suspects.
The call for "officer down" went out at 4:44 p.m. Officer Wilson was shot nine times, including at least once in the head, CBS Philadelphia reports. He was taken to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m.
Police say Wilson leaves behind two children, a nine-year-old boy and a one-year-old, and his grandmother.
One of the suspects was shot and was taken to the hospital for treatment while the second suspect was taken into custody.