By David Boroff
New York Daily News
PHILADELPHIA — The 20-year-old son of a high-ranking Philadelphia police commander was fatally shot on Saturday, one day after celebrating his birthday.
Nicholas Flacco was with a group gathered in FDR Park after tailgating at a Phillies game when several fights between females broke out, according to Captain Jason Smith of the Philadelphia Police Department. An unidentified woman was heard threatening to “call her man and that they should be afraid,” according to authorities.
A gunman later arrived and fired into the air and to the side, cops say. The man left, but returned 10 or 15 minutes later and shot Flacco, the son of an Internal Affairs commander.
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“It does hit very close to home,” Police Commissioner Richard Ross told ABC 6. “I’ve known Chief [Chris] Flacco for probably 25 years at least. Our hearts are broken and we’re keeping him and his family in our thoughts and prayers. It’s just another example of senseless violence.”
Ross told the station that investigators don’t believe that Nicholas Flacco was involved in the dispute.
“He was just along with some of the people there,” Ross told ABC 6.
Nicholas Flacco was in his fourth semester at Penn State University, and was majoring in the Liberal Arts. He had returned home on Friday to celebrate his birthday.
“Random acts of violence such as this are unfathomable and very troubling,” university spokeswoman Lisa Powers said in a statement. “This news is tragic and we offer our deepest condolences to Nicholas’ family and friends during this difficult time.”
The reward for information leading to an arrest has increased to $35,000, including $10,000 from Philadelphia’s Fraternal Order of Police.
Anyone with information should contact the Philadelphia Police Department at (215) 686-3334.
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