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Detective ID'd In Fatal Off-Duty Shooting, Philadelphia Police Say

Both the victim and the shooter of an officer-involved killing have been identified, Philadelphia police announced on Monday, Oct. 7. 

The intersection of Willits Road and Holme Avenue in Philadelphia.

The intersection of Willits Road and Holme Avenue in Philadelphia.

Photo Credit: Google Maps/Street View

Robert Jones, a 54-year-old Black man from Philadelphia, was shot dead by Detective Christopher Sweeney, a 43-year-old white man from Philadelphia, according to an updated release by PPD.

The shooting happened at the intersection of Willits Road and Holme Avenue at 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, according to the initial release, as Daily Voice previously reported.

A preliminary investigation into the incident found that the off-duty homicide detective and another driver stopped their vehicles on the roadway, according to police. Jones had exited his vehicle and approached Detective Sweeney’s personally owned vehicle on foot, according to PPD. "Detective Sweeney, who was seated on the driver’s seat, discharged his personally owned firearm multiple times, striking Jones," as stated in the release.

Det. Sweeney fired his personally owned firearm at Jones multiple times, police said. The man was taken to Jefferson-Torresdale Hospital by Philadelphia Fire Department paramedics where he was later pronounced dead. 

Sweeney is a 14-year veteran of the PPD, and is assigned to the Homicide Unit, the police noted. 

The Officer Involved Shooting Investigations Unit, Internal Affairs, and Philadelphia District Attorney's Office are actively investigating the shooting.

The detective was placed on administrative status pending the outcome of the investigations, according to police.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.

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