Video Showing Off-Duty Officer Shoot A Robbery Suspect Prompts Criticism
By Rahel Solomon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Cell phone video, now spreading across social media, is prompting criticism from some.
The video captures the moments after an off-duty Philadelphia Police Officer shoots a reported robbery suspect.
"I heard a lot of hollering and I looked out the window and seen he was trying to rob the guy," said Michelle Farrell, a nearby resident. The incident took place Saturday afternoon, around 2:30 p.m., near the busy intersection of Broad and Olney with many watching.
"He came running out, he told him 'freeze, I'm police,' and the guy, he pointed the gun at the police officer and the police officer shot twice. The guy took off and ran around here," Farrell described.
Philadelphia Police spokesman, Lt. John Stanford says he's seen the video and that the off-duty officer witnessed the suspect attempting to rob the victim and identified himself as police. "He did what we sign up to do in terms of taking this job, whether you're on duty or off duty, I mean if you see that someone's life is in danger, I mean you act and that's what this officer did."
For some out there that day, the explanation comes as little consolation.
"I just don't feel like he had to kill him, because he still young you know," said James Lee who works in the area. "He still had a long life ahead."
But, for those who were not there, relying now on video, Philadelphia Police warn, it's not always a complete depiction.
"Unless that video captures the incident in its entirety, you're still just going to have whatever image that is in front of you," Stanford said.
Philadelphia Police say through standard procedure, the officer is now on administrative leave as both internal affairs and homicide investigate.
