Philadelphia police released surveillance footage of a gunman they believe followed and shot a Philadelphia Parking Authority worker while he was doing his job over the holiday weekend.
The individual in the video is wanted for the attempted murder of an on-duty parking enforcement officer, police said. He should be considered armed and dangerous.
Police said he's believed to be 5-foot, 9-inches to 6-feet tall and thin. The images show him wearing a black mask underneath a navy blue hooded sweatshirt.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Philadelphia police at 215-686-8270 or call 911.
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The shooting happened Friday afternoon underneath the SEPTA Market-Frankford Line elevated tracks on the 4500 block of Frankford Avenue. Investigators said a gunman drove up, shot the city employee from behind, and took off.
"A masked suspect, armed with a silver revolver, approached an on-duty PPA officer from behind and fired one shot into his head before fleeing onto the 1500 block of Gillingham St towards Griscom St.," Philadelphia police said.
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On Wednesday, the PPA said the officer, who they identified as Timothy McKenzie, 37, was upgraded from critical to stable condition. He was struck in the ear and in his shoulder, police said.
"While Tim continues to improve as each day passes, we must do our part to assist law enforcement in apprehending the criminal who was intent on killing one of our law enforcement officers," PPA Board Chair Beth Grossman wrote in a statement.
NBC10 edited surveillance video to not show the moment the shooting took place, due to its graphic nature.
A friend and coworker told NBC10 McKenzie is well-known on his beat near Frankford Avenue and Orthodox Street. He was only a couple hours away from the end of his shift.
Investigators said the officer wrote several tickets on Frankford Ave. on Friday. They're still trying to figure out why someone targeted him.
“Your thoughts of just going after a man working in uniform, a city employee, obviously it’s bold. It’s bold, it’s brazen, and it’s something we’re definitely going to do everything we can to solve immediately,” Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore told reporters. “Again, does this have anything to do with his activities out here, could be, that’s our theory.”
The City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Parking Authority have each offered $10,000, totaling $20,000, for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the individual in the released photos.
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.
