Crime & Safety
Reward In Philadelphia Police Officer Shooting Nearing $300K
With an additional reward of $10,000 from Councilman Kenyatta Johnson's campaign, the total reward is nearing $300,000.
PHILADELPHIA — The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the double shooting of two Philadelphia Police officers, one of whom was killed, is nearing $300,000.
An additional $10,000 has been included in the reward pot thanks to Philadelphia Councilman Kenyatta Johnson's campaign, bringing the total to $285,000.
The shooting took the life of Officer Richard Mendez, 50, and hurt Officer Raul Ortiz, 60.
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Authorities said one person is in custody in connection with the shooting, and another is dead.
Two others are sought, police said.
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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.
One of the suspects, identified as 18-year-old Jesus Herman Madera-Duran, of Camden, New Jersey, was dropped off at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with gunshot wounds.
Madera-Duran died from his injuries, 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.
He was dropped off at the hospital by someone driving a Dodge Durango that police said was recently stolen out of South Philadelphia. The vehicle was found burned in South Brunswick, New Jersey, about three hours after the shooting.
Yobranny Martinez-Fernandez, 18, of Camden, was taken into custody on murder and related charges in connection with the shooting.
He was taken into custody in New Jersey Monday.
NBC10 reports police found a black Dodge Charger SRT on the 3700 block of L Street in Kensington Saturday. The vehicle is believed to be tied to the shooting.
Anyone with information should contact Philadelphia Police at 215-686-8477.
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