2 More Charged With Murder In Killing Of Philadelphia Police Officer

PHILADELPHIA — Two New Jersey men are now in custody in connection with the shooting that killed one Philadelphia Police officer and hurt another last week.

Alexander Batista-Polanco, 21, of Camden, and Hendrick Pena-Fernandez, 21, of Pennsauken, were taken into custody recently. Both are charged with murder.

The two were arrested Wednesday and accused of being involved in the shooting that killed officers Richard Mendez, 50, and injured Raul Ortiz, 60, at the Philadelphia International Airport last week, police said.

"I said that we would get you, and we did just that," Interim Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Stanford said following the arrests.

The reports of new arrests come two days after authorities took 18-year-old Yobranny Martinez-Fernandez into custody at a hotel in Camden on murder and related charges.

>>>RELATED: Reward In Philadelphia Police Officer Shooting Nearing $300K<<<

Authorities said 18-year-old Jesus Herman Madera-Duran, of Camden, New Jersey, died after being dropped off by someone driving a stolen Dodge Durango at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with gunshot wounds the night of the shooting. The Dodge was found burned in South Brunswick, New Jersey, about three hours after the shooting.

Madera-Duran later died and authorities said it's unclear who shot him, but police said they do not believe Mendez fired his gun. Mendez's gun is still missing, police said.

Authorities said Madera-Duran may have been shot by one of his accomplices.

While authorities said they believe those directly responsible for the shooting are now in custody, they are looking for anyone who may have aided them after the shooting and said any applicable charges will be filed against them.

A $285,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the shooting. Anyone with information should contact Philadelphia Police at 215-686-8477.

The shooting occurred at about 11 p.m. Thursday in parking garage D of the Philadelphia International Airport when Mendez and Ortiz reported for duty. They encountered several men breaking into a vehicle in the garage.

Police said the officers approached the men in partial uniform, and during that encounter shots were fired. Mendez was shot four times and Ortiz once. Mendez was pronounced dead a short while later.

Ortiz was shot in the arm and has been released from the hospital.