Temple community mourns fallen police officer after shooting
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The shooting death of Temple Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald has shaken the university's community. Investigators claim Fitzgerald was killed when he tried to stop three people from robbing a convenience store near Temple's campus.
Fitzgerald reportedly fought with the suspect Miles Pfeffer, who police say shot Fitzgerald in the head and tried to rob him after.
Police say Pfeffer then made his way back to a property in rural Bucks County, where he was arrested Sunday morning.
Pfeffer is not eligible for bail and is facing multiple charges. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, District Attorney Larry Krasner and other officials will hold a news conference on the investigation into Fitzgerald's death at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, which you can watch on CBS News Philadelphia.
An affidavit of probable cause shows Fitzgerald is heard repeatedly on security camera video telling the suspect to get on the ground, but Pfeffer is then seen firing a handgun at Fitzgerald, who falls to the ground.
Pfeffer then allegedly stood over Fitzgerald and fired several more shots into his face and head area.
Pfeffer then reached down and attempted to take the officer's service weapon, but can't seem to get the weapon out of the holster. He also searched the unresponsive officer's pockets.
Meanwhile, many in the Temple community are coming together to remember Fitzgerald.
As the memorial grows, many people came by to remember Fitzgerald, from his family to his fellow officers to students and strangers.
The 31-year-old Fitzgerald was a father of four young kids.
"He was my idol," Juan Marrero, Fitzgerald's cousin, said. "He was everything I wanted to be."
Near North 17th Street and West Montgomery Avenue, where he was shot and killed, is now a growing memorial of flowers, candles and photos of Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald began his career in law enforcement at 19 years old as a corrections officer before joining the police force.
The Temple police union says Fitzgerald was on patrol by himself at the time of the shooting.
"We're devastated," Alec Shaffer, president of the Temple University Police Association, said. "it's hard to put into words what we're all experiencing."
Michael Goodson, the captain of the neighboring 22nd District, is a close friend of Fitzgerald's parents, who both previously worked for the Philadelphia Police Department.
"It's a loss we can't measure in any capacity," Goodson said. "Though we wear the uniform of police officers, the commonality is that we are all human beings."
Temple students told CBS Philadelphia they were concerned about their safety off-campus prior to the deadly shooting. Now, they're even more afraid of the neighborhood near campus.
One student said his parents have asked him to move off-campus and commute from home. His friends are also discussing that.
"The initial reaction was from a lot of parents was, 'we just have to get everyone out of there,' like shut it down," Temple student John Mangan said. "I know I've talked to a lot of alumni and myself included, it doesn't feel the same anymore to say you went to Temple because this place, quite literally, is being run to the ground by the people in charge."
Just three weeks ago, CBS Philadelphia uncovered a broken promise made by university President Jason Wingard. Wingard pledged to increase campus safety by 50% after the murder of Sam Collington near campus back in November 2021.
At the time, it had 169 officers and staff, but data shows there are about 155 employees today.
CBS Philadelphia requested comment from Wingard and the university's public safety director but has not heard back.
