City leaders to discuss case of fallen Temple police officer

Today, Philadelphia officials will join Temple University's president to release more details about the shooting that killed Temple University police officer Christopher Fitzgerald. And this morning, the school is honoring the slain officer by illuminating the bell tower in blue. With more on that story, let's head out to Ross DeMatte. He is live at the scene where a memorial there, Ross, has been growing and people have been stopping to pay their respects for Officer Fitzgerald. That's exactly right, Janelle. And you know, Officer Fitzgerald's death has sent shockwaves throughout temples nearby campus and really throughout the city of Philadelphia. And this memorial here at 17th and Montgomery streets is one of several ways that the community is remembering the man who served this North Philadelphia community.

Investigators say the married father of four, we're talking about Officer Fitzgerald now, was shot and killed while trying to stop 18-year-old robbery suspect Miles Pfeffer, who disregarded the officer's commands. According to the probable cause affidavit, Fitzgerald repeatedly told Pfeffer to get on the ground, but the male suspect fired a handgun at the officer and then stood over Fitzgerald before firing several more shots into his face and head area and then trying to take the officer's service weapon. The Temple police union says Fitzgerald was on patrol by himself at the time of the shooting. And just three weeks ago, my colleague Matt Petrillo uncovered a broken promise made by the university's president, Jason Wingard. He had pledged to increase campus safety by 50% after the murder of student Sam Collington near campus back in November of 2021. At the time, Temple police had 169 officers and staff members, but data now shows that today there is about 155 employees, which is 14 fewer than at that time. We spoke with some Temple students who say the death of this officer has shaken up the entire university and parents are worried.

We're just super down like the morale is low right now at Temple morale is very low at Temple. It's a hard thing to like to realize that like this can happen to anyone and the fact that it hits this close to home. The initial reaction was, you know, from a lot of parents was we just got to get everyone out of there. Like you shut it down. CBS News Philadelphia made multiple attempts yesterday to talk to Temple's president and the president of public safety, but our calls did go unanswered. His mayor and DA are scheduled to hold a press conference at 10 o'clock this morning to release more information about the investigation into the death of Officer Christopher Fitzgerald. We will stream that press conference for you live on CBS News Philadelphia.

Jim, back to you. Thank you, Ross. Funeral arrangements have been announced for Officer Fitzgerald. There will be two viewings this week, one on Thursday evening at Gibnish Funeral Home on Academy Road, then another on Friday morning at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Ray Street. The memorial service will follow that viewing before the officer's body is laid to rest in Huntington Valley.

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