By Natalie Pompilio, Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Police Department’s internal affairs and homicide divisions are both looking into a Christmas Day shooting by an off-duty Philadelphia officer that left one man dead and a woman injured.
Darren Gardner, 42, died at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania around 5:36 p.m. from three gunshot wounds, police spokesman Inspector William Colarulo said. The 27-year-old female victim, who was shot in the left side and arm, was also taken to Penn and was in stable condition, he said. Police would not identify her.
The 18th District officer who fired the shots, whose name was not released, has been reassigned to administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation, Colarulo said.
Police gave the following account: First District officers responded to an officer-needs-assistance call at 1940 S. Bouvier Street in South Philadelphia around 5 p.m.
When they arrived they learned that Gardner, of the 2100 block of Manton Street, had come to that address in violation of a protection from abuse order obtained by his girlfriend, who is the off-duty officer’s aunt.
Gardner and the off-duty officer had a confrontation in front of the house and Gardner pulled out a silver gun and pointed it at the officer. The officer then pulled his off-duty weapon and fired at Gardner.
It was unclear if the injured woman was with Gardner or a passerby.