A Philadelphia police officer who wounded in an airport garage shooting that left another officer dead was released from the hospital over the weekend, and investigators believe they have found a vehicle connected in the incident.
Officer Raul Ortiz, 60, was saluted by his fellow officers as he was wheeled out of the hospital Saturday, UPI reports. Ortiz was wounded in the arm Thursday when he and another officer, Richard Mendez, confronted several suspects breaking into a vehicle in a parking garage at the Philadelphia International Airport. Mendez, 50, was struck multiple times in the shooting and later died from his injuries.
"We are blessed to announce that hero Philadelphia Police Officer Raul Ortiz is going home after days of receiving care from the excellent staff at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital," a department social media post stated. "Thank you all for wrapping your arms around him and his family; our Department and City will always be by their side!"
According to WPVI, police believe they found a black Dodge Charger that is connected with the shooting. Police also released video footage of a wounded suspect who was apparently dropped off at a hospital, WTXF-TV reports. The 18-year-old suspect later died, and the stolen vehicle in the video was found on fire in South Brunswick, NJ.
Philadelphia's Fraternal Order of Police is offering a $225,000 reward for information leading to the arrest in the shooting.
