Murder Charge Filed After Philly Officer Dies Following June Shooting

PHILADELPHIA — After Philadelphia Police Office Jaime Roman died Tuesday, authorities in Philadelphia has charged the man accused of shooting him with murder.

Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez, 36, of Philadelphia, is now charged with murder in addition to firearm violations, tampering with evidence, evading arrest, recklessly endangering another person, and many more crimes.

The charges stem from a June 22 incident on the 3500 block of F Street in Kensington.

Just before 8 p.m. that day, two officers stopped a vehicle, one of them being Roman.

Authorities said Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez, 36, was driving an unregistered vehicle without a license.

Police said due to those infractions, a tow truck was called.

But before the truck arrived, police said Vazquez made a phone call and told the other party he was stopped by police. Two women and a man pulled up to the scene in a separate car.

Police told Vazquez the vehicle was being towed and began to remove items from the vehicle.

During that time, one of the officers saw a holster on the car's floor.

Vazquez was called over by the officers, then ran off.

As he ran off, Vazquez fired three shots back at the two officers, striking Roman, police said.

The other officer returned fire, then took Roman to a hospital, where he was put on life support.

Police said the tow truck driver assisted police in getting Roman into the vehicle and off to a hospital.

Video showed Vazquez running off with a gun in his hand and stopping at a garage on G Street where he took off the shirt he was wearing.

He tried to go into a garage but was driven off by someone there, police said.

Then at G and Tioga streets, Vazquez tried to get into a minivan, but the driver was able to drive off without Vazquez getting in it. Police are asking that driver to contact them.

About 15 minutes later, police said Vazquez encountered a man in his 20s sitting on a porch on the 800 block of East Schiller Street.

Vazquez pulled a gun on the man and forced him into the home, where he held him at gunpoint but eventually let the man leave, police said.

The man saw police in the area and told them Vazquez was inside.

Shortly thereafter, police were able to get Vazquez out of the home and into custody.

Police found a 9mm Glock firearm in that home.

Vazquez is being held without bail and is scheduled for a Sept. 30 preliminary hearing.

Roman's cause of death is being investigated by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office.

"It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Officer Jaime Roman, a dedicated and courageous member of our department," Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel said. "Jaime's unwavering commitment to serving and protecting our community was an inspiration to us all. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the entire PPD family during this difficult time."

Funeral arrangements are pending.