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Officer Richard Mendez, a 50-year-old with 22 years in the department, was hit multiple times and died from his wounds, PPD brass said at a Friday evening press conference.
Officer Raul Ortiz, 60, was hit once in the arm and is in stable condition at Jefferson Hospital, according to Interim Commissioner John Stanford.
The shooting happened shortly after the men arrived for their shift at the airport around 11 p.m. on Oct. 13, Stanford said.
While parking in garage D, with one officer in full uniform and the other partially uniformed, they saw multiple people breaking into nearby vehicles, so they approached — that is when the suspects opened fire, according to Stanford.
A juvenile now identified as 18-year-old Jesus Duran was later taken in a private vehicle to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and died, but Stanford has been unable to confirm if they were one of the shooters.
The shooters fled the scene in a black Dodge Durango, and police confirmed Friday evening that Duran was one of the people in the Durango. Investigators are still working to identify the others.
Meanwhile, a police procession escorted the fallen officer from the medical examiner's office to John F. Givnish Funeral Home in Northeast Philadelphia.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call or text 215-686-TIPS(8477).
Stanford also posted about the shooting on X (formerly Twitter).
"Anger, devastation and heartbreak are the emotions. One officer gave his life tonight and one is recovering. Please wrap your arms and prayers around their families and our department. We will continue our search for those responsible and won't stop until all are in custody!"
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney also posted that he was heartbroken by the tragic loss.
"My thoughts are with their family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time, and I pray for the second officer's swift recovery."
President Joe Biden, who was in Philadelphia Friday evening, mentioned both officers at the beginning of his remarks.
"We owe them a debt of gratitude and we're praying for them and their families today," he said.
This is the second shooting of Philadelphia police officers in 9 days. Three officers were shot after a father got mad about his 12-year-old son playing a video game on Oct. 4. You can read about that bizarre and tragic shooting by clicking here.
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