PHILADELPHIA — A 54-year-old man was shot and killed by an off-duty Philadelphia police detective late Thursday night following a roadside confrontation in Northeast Philadelphia, authorities said.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. on October 3, near the intersection of Willits Road and Holme Avenue. Officers from the 8th Police District responded to the scene after receiving reports of a shooting involving an off-duty officer.
Preliminary findings suggest that the shooting followed an altercation between Detective Christopher Sweeney and the victim, identified as Robert Jones. The two men had reportedly stopped their vehicles on the roadway before Jones exited his car and approached Sweeney’s vehicle on foot.
Sweeney, seated in his personal vehicle, fired multiple shots, striking Jones.
Philadelphia Fire Department paramedics transported Jones to Jefferson-Torresdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities have not yet disclosed what led to the confrontation between the two men.
The Philadelphia Police Department’s Officer Involved Shooting Investigations Unit, Internal Affairs, and the District Attorney’s Office are conducting a joint investigation into the circumstances of the shooting.
As the investigation is ongoing, officials have not released further details regarding the incident.
