18-Year-Old Arrested in Connection with Fatal Shooting of Temple University Officer

Miles Pfeffer, 18, was arrested Sunday morning at his home in Buckingham Township, Bucks County, in connection with the fatal shooting of Temple University Officer Christopher Fitzgerald.^[0] Fitzgerald, 31, was shot and killed while on patrol near the school's Philadelphia campus on Saturday night after a struggle with Pfeffer.^[1] The suspect is facing multiple charges, including Murder, Homicide of Law Enforcement Officer, Evading Arrest, Disarming a Law Enforcement Officer, Violation of Uniform Firearms Act, and related charges.^[2] Pfeffer is ineligible for bail.

Fitzgerald had worked at Temple since October 2021 and was the son of a prominent police official, Joel Fitzgerald, who spent 17 years with the Philadelphia Police Department.^[3] He was also a member of several advocacy groups to raise awareness about gun violence.^[4] In response to the tragedy, Temple University has vowed to cover the cost of Fitzgerald's funeral and provide free tuition for his five children should they choose to attend the school.^[5]

The funeral service honoring Fitzgerald will be held on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.^[6] A public viewing will be held from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the church before the funeral service begins at 11:30 a.m. There will also be a police procession for the fallen officer beginning at 6 a.m.

Pfeffer attended school in the Central Bucks School District until September 2019.^[7] He was arrested last February for sending anonymous threats to a high school in the district and had no other major contact with law enforcement in Bucks County.^[8] He was taken into custody at his home on Sunday morning by members of the U.S. Marshals Service, the Central Bucks Special Response Team and state, Philadelphia and Buckingham police.^[9]

The Philadelphia Police Department Homicide Unit is investigating the incident, and they are utilizing every resource available.^[10] Lori and Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania's governor and lieutenant governor, have expressed their condolences and have offered their full support.^[10]

0. “Temple University Police Sgt. Chris Fitzgerald to be laid to rest” FOX 29 Philadelphia, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.fox29.com/news/temple-university-police-sgt-chris-fitzgerald-to-be-laid-to-rest

1. “Temple University will cover cost of Sgt. Fitzgerald's funeral, offers to pay children's tuition” FOX 29 Philadelphia, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.fox29.com/news/temple-university-will-cover-cost-of-sgt-fitzgeralds-funeral-offers-to-pay-childrens-tuition

2. “Widow of slain Temple police officer shares emotional tribute to husband at vigil: ‘His legacy will live on'” FOX 29 Philadelphia, 22 Feb. 2023, https://www.fox29.com/news/widow-of-slain-temple-police-officer-shares-emotional-tribute-to-husband-at-vigil-his-legacy-will-live-on

3. “18-year-old arrested for fatally shooting Philadelphia cop in the head and trying to steal his gun” Daily Mail, 19 Feb. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11769535/Suspect-arrested-fatally-shooting-Philadelphia-cop-18-year-old.html

4. “Watch funeral services for Temple Officer Christopher Fitzgerald, killed on duty, live Friday morning” PhillyVoice.com, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.phillyvoice.com/watch-funeral-temple-police-officer-christoper-fitzgerald/

5. “Funeral for slain Temple Officer Christopher Fitzgerald: Time, road closures, how to stream” The Philadelphia Inquirer, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/christopher-fitzgerald-funeral-time-road-closures-mass-20230224.html

6. “WATCH LIVE: Funeral Procession for Slain Temple Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald” NBC 10 Philadelphia, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/remembering-slain-temple-police-officer-christopher-fitzgerald/3504496/

7. “Who is Miles Pfeffer, teen charged with killing Temple University police officer Christopher Fitzgerald?” WPVI-TV, 20 Feb. 2023, https://6abc.com/miles-pfeffer-details-who-is-temple-university-police-officer-killed-ofc-christopher-fitzgerald/12849398/

8. “What we know about the Temple police officer shooting” The Philadelphia Inquirer, 19 Feb. 2023, https://www.inquirer.com/crime/temple-police-office-killed-christopher-fitzgerald-miles-pfeffer-20230219.html

9. “Miles Pfeffer arrested: How police tracked down accused gunman charged in Temple University Officer Chris Fitzgerald's murder” WPVI-TV, 20 Feb. 2023, https://6abc.com/miles-pfeffer-arrested-temple-university-officer-killed-christopher-fitzgerald-shooting-philadelphia-police/12845178/

10. “Temple police officer shooting: What we know” CBS Philly, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/chris-fitzgerald-miles-pfeffer-temple-police-officer-shooting-robbery