Following a shooting incident that occurred late Thursday night at the Philadelphia International Airport, authorities have confirmed the death of one veteran police officer and the wounding of another. Both Attorney General Michelle Henry and District Attorney Larry Krasner have issued statements extending their condolences and shedding light on the ongoing investigation.
In her statement, Attorney General Henry expressed profound sorrow for the tragic loss and wished for the recovery of the wounded officer. “Today, I join Pennsylvanians and the communities in Philadelphia in mourning the loss of a veteran police officer, who was shot and killed Thursday night. Our thoughts are also with a second officer, and his family, who was wounded in the same incident,” Henry said.
Further expressing her sympathy, Henry said, “I want to offer my sincerest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of the officer who died a hero, bravely responding to a criminal act in progress.” She also extended her wishes for healing and recovery for the second officer involved, praising both for their years of selfless service.
On the other hand, District Attorney Larry Krasner offered a more critical perspective on the systemic issues related to gun violence. “America has more guns than people, thanks to gun-crazy politicians who oppose commonsense gun regulations,” Krasner pointed out. The District Attorney also criticized the challenges in tracing firearms used in crimes due to what he considers to be lax regulations supported by the National Rifle Association (NRA).
Krasner emphasized the perils that police officers face daily, highlighting recent incidents where Philadelphia Police officers were shot in volatile and dangerous situations. “Last week, three Philadelphia Police officers were shot responding to two domestic shootings. We are thankful that they are recovering, and that the second officer shot last night is expected to survive,” he said.
Both Henry and Krasner stressed the need for unity and support for law enforcement in this difficult time, as investigations continue to identify and apprehend those responsible for the tragic shooting.