Suspect Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Philly Police Officer
Source Officer.com News
Authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of a Philadelphia police officer in an airport parking garage last week.
Yobranny Martinez Fernandez, 18, was apprehended early Monday in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. He is expected to be extradited to Philadelphia on murder-related charges.
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Police are still looking for at least two more suspects in connection with the shooting. An 18-year-old man who was dropped off at a hospital with a fatal gunshot wound following the incident is believed to have been part of the group encountered by two Philadelphia police officers as the suspects were allegedly breaking in to a vehicle at the airport.
In the incident Thursday, Officer Richard Mendez and Officer Raul Ortiz confronted the suspects, and “somebody came behind” and opened fire, according to Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore during a Monday press release. Mendez was fatally shot multiple times in the chest, and Ortiz was wounded in the arm.
Mendez's gun was missing from the scene of the shooting, but investigators don't think it was used during the incident.
Mendez was just days away from his 22-year anniversary with the department. He was the 10th Philadelphia law enforcement officer shot this year, and the second one killed.
Ortiz was released from the hospital Saturday.
