The man killed by an off-duty policeman was said to be wanted in Michigan on drug charges.
By Mari A. Schaefer
Inquirer Staff Writer
The man killed by an off-duty Philadelphia police officer at the Willow Grove train station on Monday has been identified as Kevin Cornel Shields, 22, of the 8100 block of Rugby Street in Philadelphia’s Stenton section.
Shields ran a stop sign and was involved in a minor traffic accident around 4:20 a.m. with Officer Barry Sudler, 25, who was driving home through the Cedarbrook section after working his shift at the 16th District in West Philadelphia, authorities said. Sudler identified himself as a police officer and was attempting to call 911 when Shields left the scene.
Sudler followed him to the Willow Grove train station. There, Sudler told investigators, Shields got out of his car and charged Sudler shouting “You’re dead,” and “I’m gonna get you,” while reaching with both hands under his shirt toward his waistband. The officer fired, striking Shields, police said.
Shields did not have a weapon. Sudler will not return to street duty while an internal affairs investigation takes place, as is standard procedure. Montgomery County authorities said Monday that preliminary evidence did not appear to warrant charges.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office issued a news release yesterday stating that Shields had a “lengthy criminal record and, at the time of his death, was wanted by the State of Michigan for felony drug delivery charges.” Officials in the District Attorney’s Office had no further comment. The investigation is continuing.
Two people answering the door at Shields’ two-story twin house on a modest, quiet block in Stenton yesterday said the family had no comment.
Jeffrey Wilson, 41, who lives across the street, said Shields lived with his grandparents and took care of his young son.
Philadelphia Inquirer (http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/)