Trial begins for Philly man accused of shooting 6 officers during 2019 standoff

The trial of Maurice Hill, a 41-year-old man accused of shooting six police officers during an hourslong standoff in North Philadelphia’s Nicetown-Tioga neighborhood that gripped the city and nation nearly six years ago, started on Tuesday, April 22.

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The incident unfolded on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. as narcotics officers served a warrant at a home near North 15^th and West Butler streets. Officials said the officers entered the kitchen of the home when Hill – who was armed with an assault-style weapon – opened fire. As Hill continued to fire, some of the officers fired back while others escaped through windows and doors, officials said.

The shooting prompted a massive law enforcement response and forced the community into lockdown for more than seven hours. During that time, Hill allegedly fired more than 100 rounds. Two Philadelphia police officers and three civilians were trapped inside the home and were eventually safely evacuated by a SWAT team.

Six police officers were injured by gunfire during the standoff though none of them suffered life-threatening injuries. Another officer was also injured in a car crash while responding to the standoff.

Hill finally surrendered to police shortly after midnight the next day, officials said.

Hill had an extensive criminal record prior to the standoff. He was first arrested as an 18-year-old in 2001 for illegally possessing a gun with an altered serial number, court records show. He was found guilty on five counts related to that arrest.

In 2002 he was arrested yet again and eventually pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy.

Hill would continue to be arrested over the years, with his crimes escalating in severity. In 2008, he was convicted of resisting arrest, criminal trespass and fleeing from police. Three years later, he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and was found guilty of perjury in 2013.

Jury selection for Hill’s latest trial took about four hours on Monday, April 21, 2025. Six men and six women make up the panel.

Tuesday's opening statements

Opening statements began on Tuesday morning with Philadelphia Police officer Tyric Armstead being the first witness to take the stand.

Officer Armstead testified that he and his narcotics team were about to execute a search warrant on that day when someone exited the property with a bag filled with suspected drugs. Armstead said that person entered a neighboring home where Hill resided and went inside.

Prosecutors said that officers tried to secure Hill's property and that, as the officers entered his home, Hill started firing at them.

"The ones that were outside began to take cover and over the air I heard Officer Parker say, 'I'm shot in the head,'" Armstead said.

Officer Sean Parker took the stand mid-afternoon on Tuesday. The 17-year veteran of the department became emotional while he recalled the events of that day. He testified that he was the first inside and said he and his team shouted their presence several times.

Parker said that once he was shot, he took cover by a window in the dining room. As the shots continued, Parker said he returned fire.

"I was firing thinking that whoever shot me was going to come out to kill me," Parker testified. "At the time I had a two-year-old and five-month-old. I just wanted to go home."

Hill's defense attorney told the jury that his client returned home from the hospital after witnessing the birth of his daughter one day prior.

He said Hill became scared after hearing a gunshot followed by his dog's yelp while he had music turned up and the shower running.

His attorney said it was then that Hill saw a shadowy figure in his home with a gun.

"Once he see that, he thinks, 'it's an armed intruder,' and he starts firing," Hill's attorney told the court. "The element of surprise triggered a flight or fight response."