Montco Man Killed By Philly Police During Wednesday Standoff

JENKINTOWN, PA — A Jenkintown man has been identified as the person who was shot and killed by Philadelphia SWAT team members Wednesday morning during a standoff.

According to Philadelphia Police, Lawrence Packard, 73, of Jekintown, died after being struck by Philadelphia Police gunfire during a standoff early Wednesday morning in the Oxford Circle neighborhood.

Police were called to 7800 block of East Roosevelt Boulevard at about 4:56 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a possible vehicle crash.

Officers did not find a crash scene, but found a truck parked on Borbeck Avenue with its horn steadily sounding.

One officer went up to the truck and spoke with the man behind the wheel, later identified as Packard.

The officer determined no assistance was needed and as he left the area he heard two gunshots from the direction of the truck, police said.

The officer went back to the truck and saw Packard holding a gun, prompting the officer to call for back up.

Responding officers declared a barricade, established a perimeter, and called for SWAT assistance.

During the barricade, Packard fired in the direction of officers while still in the truck, police said.

Police said Packard then shot at SWAT Lt. William Schmid and SWAT Officer Patrick Saba who arrived on the scene.

Schmid and Saba returned fire, fatally wounding Packard, police said.

No officers were hurt during the incident.

Schmid is 42 years old, and a 21-year veteran assigned to SWAT. Saba is 38 years old and a 17-year veteran assigned to SWAT. Both have been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the internal affairs and officer-involved shooting investigations.

The initial responding officer's body-worn camera was activated during the incident but did not capture the shooting itself.