An off-duty cop has been accused of murdering a Point Breeze man and shooting two others in what allegedly started in a water gun fight.
Off-duty 14th District police officer Rudolf Gary, 26, of the Northeast, allegedly shot and killed 22-year-old Howard Williams, of the 1800 block of Hoffman Street, 6:43 p.m. Sunday, Lt. Frank Vanore, of Police Public Affairs Unit said.
While Vanore would not confirm details about a water gun fight initiating the gunfire, he did say an argument ensued and Gary is believed to have discharged his weapon, striking Williams multiple times in addition to hitting a 26-year-old woman in the leg and grazing an 18-year-old man in the leg.
All three were transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Vanore said. Williams was pronounced dead at 5:20 p.m. while the other two were in stable condition.
Monday, District Attorney Seth Williams announced criminal charges against Gary, according to spokeswoman Tasha Jamerson.
On Tuesday morning, the district attorney posted to his Facebook page, “Yo Philly, it is never acceptable to shoot and kill someone because of a water gun fight. Never!”
After Police Internal Affairs reviewed the case, Gary was given a 30-day suspension with intent to dismiss, which began Monday, Vanore said.
Gary has been charged with murder, two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, and three counts of possession of an instrument of crime, according to court documents.
Gunfire broke out yet again on the intersection of 20th Street and Snyder Avenue last week. The gunmen are still on the loose.
Police responded to the area around 5:20 p.m. April 27 to find two wounded bystanders, Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said. A 29-year-old man told police he was deaf, but faintly heard gunshots as he exited the corner store. He started to run when a bullet struck him in his right calf, so he ran home.
An 18-year-old was on his cell phone when he was hit by a bullet in his right hand, Tolliver said. He ran to 20th and Mercy streets. Police transported both men to HUP where they were treated and released.
Ballistic evidence was located at the intersection where the two were shot in addition to the 1900 block of Dudley Street, Tolliver said.
Police did not provide a description of the shooters.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
A teenager, who ran out on the field during the eighth inning of Monday night’s Phillies-Cardinals game, was subdued with a taser gun while a 34-year-old repeated the act a night later.
A 17-year-old, of the 300 block of Kleman Road, Gilbertsville, allegedly ran on to the field at Citizens Bank Park at 9:20 p.m., Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said. An officer tried to stop him, but he continued to run causing the umpires to halt the game. The officer ordered the teen to stop, but he did not abide, so the officer tasered him.
More than two years after two women were murdered in Grays Ferry, their killer has been sentenced to the death penalty.
Police nabbed a serial Center City bank robber on Friday.
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1. Anonymous said... on May 6, 2010 at 01:13PM
“R.I.P. Howard Williams”