Police, DA Investigating Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting

PHILADELPHIA – An investigation into the fatal police shooting that occurred Monday in Northeast Philadelphia is underway after officers shot and killed a man while executing a search warrant.

The Philadelphia Police Department and Philadelphia District Attorney's Office are looking into the death of Jeffrey Dennis, 36, who was killed by officers Monday after allegedly hitting several officers with a vehicle.

The scene unfolded at about 4:10 p.m. Monday when several undercover officers with the police department's Narcotics Field Unit were watching over Dennis' home on the 7100 block of Cottage Street, police said.

While watching the house, officers saw a Dennis driving a vehicle in the area, and police identified Dennis as someone associated with alleged drug activity at the house, police said.

Six officers in three unmarked police vehicles blocked the vehicle Dennis was driving and then got out the vehicles, police said.

They approached Dennis' vehicle and ordered him to shut off the car but he did not comply, police said.

Police said Dennis then struck the police vehicles with his vehicle and an officer used a tool to shatter the driver's side window of Dennis' vehicle.

Dennis was able to get away from the officers and struck one of the officers in the process, police said.

That's when one officer shot at Dennis three times, hitting him in the head and left arm, police said.

Dennis was pronounced dead at 4:18 p.m., according to police.

Three officers were taken to Jefferson-Torresdale Hospital for treatment of their injuries.

One sustained injuries to his legs, and was admitted in good condition, one had hand injuries and was treated and released, and the other sustained cuts to his arm and was treated and released.

Mayor Jim Kenney issued a statement on Monday's incident Wednesday afternoon.

"My prayers are with the family and friends of Jeffrey Dennis," Kenney said. "It is always tragic to lose someone you love. I am relieved there were no life threatening injuries to the police officers. The public should be assured that the Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Unit is conducting a full investigation for the sake of Mr. Dennis, his family, the officers, and for Philadelphia."

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