DELAWARE, PHILADELPHIA: Richard Mendez, a 50-year-old Philadelphia police officer, was fatally shot on Thursday, October 12, while trying to stop a carjacking at the airport parking garage.
He was a veteran of the force for nearly 23 years and the father of a girl.
How was Richard Mendez and his partner shot?
Mendez and his partner, Raul Ortiz, 60, were off-duty but about to start their work shift at the Philadelphia International Airport when they heard glass breaking, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
As they approached the scene, they saw three or four people breaking into a car in the Terminal D parking garage, according to Interim Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Stanford.
They confronted the suspects, who opened fire on them. Mendez was hit multiple times and Ortiz was wounded in the arm.
Both were taken to different hospitals where Mendez succumbed to his injuries and Ortiz was in stable condition.
"We will continue our search for those responsible and won't stop until all are in custody," Stanford said as per Fox News.
Suspects escaped before dropping their alleged accomplice in the hospital who later died
The suspects who has been caught on surveillance footage fled the scene in a stolen black Dodge Durango which was later found burned after police tracked it down using an air tag device.
One of the suspects, 18-year-old Jesus Herman Madera-Duran, was also shot and died at a hospital after being dumped by his accomplices.
Police are still looking for the other suspects and have offered a $180,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.
Mendez was remembered as a brave and dedicated officer who made the ultimate sacrifice for his city.
City flags have been ordered to be flown at half-mast for 30 days following Richard Mendez's killing
Mayor Kenney expressed his condolences and gratitude for Mendez’s service and ordered all city flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days according to the Philadelphia government.
“I am heartbroken by the tragic loss..." he said. He said his "thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and the members of the Philadelphia Police Department during this extremely difficult time."
He added that the Philadelphia Police Department is investigating this horrific incident.
Stanford called the killing a “devastating incident” and said it showed the danger that officers face every day from gun violence.
"I would submit to you that it’s devastating to this city to know that this is the type of behavior that’s occurring,” he said.
“The type of individuals that are out there on the street to take someone’s life over a vehicle that didn’t belong to them," he added.
