PHILADELPHIA, PA – A 19-year-old Bucks County teenager has been held for trial in the murder of Temple University Police Sgt. Christopher Fitzgerald, who was killed near the university’s campus in North Philadelphia. Miles Pfeffer waived his right to a preliminary hearing on charges including murder of a law enforcement officer and robbery in the shooting death of Officer Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald’s family expressed their desire to see Pfeffer sentenced to death for the killing of the 31-year-old officer. The teenager appeared in court flanked by his family, while the slain officer’s father, Joel Fitzgerald Sr., emphasized the importance of seeking justice for his son.
According to authorities, Officer Fitzgerald confronted three individuals wearing masks and dressed in black near an area that had experienced a series of robberies and carjackings. A chase ensued, leading to a struggle between Fitzgerald and Pfeffer, during which the teenager allegedly shot the officer multiple times before attempting to steal his service weapon.
Pfeffer was apprehended the following morning at his mother’s residence in Bucks County. He faces a range of charges in connection with the incident, including murder, robbery, theft, and weapons crimes. The Philadelphia Defender Association declined to comment on the charges.
The funeral service for Fitzgerald, who was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant, was attended by dozens of Temple University police officers. A father of five, he had only joined the university’s police force a few months prior to his tragic death.
The Fitzgerald family has filed a lawsuit against Pfeffer and his parents, holding them liable for negligence and wrongful death. They have expressed their desire to see Pfeffer receive the death penalty if found guilty, with Joel Fitzgerald Sr. asserting that the case meets every threshold for such punishment.
Despite the family’s wishes, the Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, has publicly stated that he will not sign any death warrants and has called for the repeal of the death penalty. Pfeffer’s formal arraignment is scheduled for February 13, and the district attorney’s office has made no comment regarding the pending trial.