Slain Temple Officer's Family Sues Alleged Gunman, Parents

PHILADELPHIA — The family of a Temple University Police officer who was killed in Februay is suing the alleged gunman and his family, saying the family could have prevented their loved one's death.

Temple University Police Sergeant Christopher Fitzgerald was shot and killed while on patrol at about 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 on the 1800 block of Montgomery Avenue when he encountered Miles Pfeffer and two others, authorities said.

Pfeffer is accused of shooting and killing Fitzgerald during a struggle after a chase and was captured in Buckingham Township less than 12 hours later, according to authorities.

Now, Fitzgerald's family is suing Pfeffer, his parents Marc Pfeffer and Jill Petruska, as well as Petruska's boyfriend George Shaw.

WATCH: Slain Temple Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald Laid To Rest

According to the lawsuit, the family is seeking damages against Pfeffer for wrongful death and assault and battery.

The suit also alleges Pfeffer's family knew of purported mental instability in Pfeffer and still allowed him to access firearms.

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"Shockingly, and despite the known behavioral and mental health problems of Defendant Miles Pfeffer, his mother Defendant Jill Petruska and Defendant George Shaw maintained numerous firearms at the property located in Buckingham Township," the suit reads.

The suit says Pfeffer also had access to firearms and other "instrumentalities of crime" at a property owned by his father in Philadelphia.

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Pfeffer's father, mother, and her boyfriend failed to secure those firearms, according to the suit.

According to Fox 29, Pfeffer was charged with making threats toward Central Bucks South High School in November 2021.

The suit says Pfeffer has a history of school misconduct, resulting in expulsion from multiple schools.

"Despite the repeated signs, including multiple juvenile offenses, multiple school infractions, a bomb scare, and threats to bring weapons to school, Defendants Petruska, Shaw, and Mark Pfeffer failed to take the necessary steps to avoid catastrophe," the suit reads.

Patch has reached out to the law firm representing the Fitzgerald family and will update the story when additional details about the suit are made available.