Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez arrested: Philadelphia police identify suspected gunman who shot police officer during traffic stop

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A suspected gunman is in custody after a Philadelphia police officer was shot and seriously injured in the Kensington neighborhood on Saturday evening.

According to police, two officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of ​​3500 F Street shortly before 8 p.m. that involved four people, including the shooter, whom police identified as 36-year-old Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez.

During this check, the officers saw a holster.

According to police, Rodriguez Vazquez then fled the scene and shot the officers three times.

One of the officers was shot in the neck. His partner returned fire and then took the injured officer to Temple University Hospital.

The officer who was shot remains in critical condition in the surgical intensive care unit.

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel spoke outside Temple University Hospital late Saturday night.

“I often come here with a lot of anger about what my men and women have to endure. Today I come with a different request: Today I sat in an auditorium with about 75 to 100 men from the East Division and we held hands when Commissioner Stanford brought us together and we prayed for our officer,” Bethel said.

“So today I ask people across the city of Philadelphia to pray for our officer,” Bethel continued.

According to sources, after the shooting, Rodriguez Vazquez pulled a gun on a resident and forced his way into a home. A barricade situation was declared before police could arrest the suspect.

Several people who were in the car with the shooter are also in police custody.

Rodriguez Vazquez faces a number of charges, including attempted murder, and is also charged with theft, kidnapping and other crimes in connection with the burglary.

The name of the police officer who was shot has not been released. Officials say he is 31 years old and has been with the police for six years.

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