Southwest Philadelphia

Police shoot, kill man who asked for help along off-ramp from I-95 to PHL airport

A Philadelphia police officer shot and killed a man near Philadelphia International Airport in Southwest Philadelphia on Feb. 3, 2025, authorities say

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A man asking for help after claiming to have been stabbed got into a fight with a police officer that ended with him being shot by another responding Philadelphia police officer just off Interstate 95 by Philadelphia International Airport early Monday, authorities said.

The Feb. 3, 2025, shooting took place near the airport in Southwest Philadelphia, Philadelphia Police said.

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Later on Monday, police reveal details about the shooting. They said a uniformed officer assigned to the airport unit encountered the 36-year-old man on the southbound I-95 ramp, a.k.a. 1 PIA Way. The man told the officer he had been stabbed and the officer called for an ambulance and backup, investigators said.

"The preliminary investigation indicates that at some point while awaiting backup and medics, a physical altercation ensued between (the officer) and the male," police said.

The officer fired his Taser at the man, but was unable to incapacitate him, police said. The officer tried to stun the man again as a second officer arrived.

The second officer then fired his gun multiple times, striking the man, police said. The original officer on the scene never opened fire.

There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.

Medics arrived and pronounced the man dead a short time later, police said.

Neither officer was hurt.

The 53-year-old airport unit officer who opened fire is a 28-year police veteran, investigators said. He was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of internal affairs and district attorney's office investigations.

Neither officer was wearing a body-worn camera at the time of the deadly encounter, investigators said.

Pennsylvania State Police could be seen blocking off the split for Exit 12 from southbound I-95 for hours Monday morning.

Troopers reopened the ramp before the morning rush.

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