Ramsey fires cops involved in '08 off-duty shooting
Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey today gave walking papers to two Philadelphia police officers who were involved in an off-duty shooting in West Oak Lane in 2008, the Daily News has learned.
Ramsey fires cops involved in '08 off-duty shooting
Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey today gave walking papers to two Philadelphia police officers who were involved in an off-duty shooting in West Oak Lane in 2008, the Daily News has learned.
Sgt. Chauncey Ellison and Officer Robin Fortune were both suspended for 30 days with the intent to dismiss, Ramsey said. Neighborhood residents said Ellison and Fortune were both involved in a dispute on Nov. 17, 2008 that ended with with Lawrence Allen, 20, being shot in the back and paralyzed on Renovo Street near 20th. Allen died three months later after battling numerous infections and illnesses.
The bizarre case started to unfold that night when Ellison's 14-year-old son was robbed and assaulted in West Oak Lane. Witnesses said Ellison chased a potential suspect to Renovo, where he enountered a group of people, including Allen, who lived on the block.
Witnesses claimed Ellison and Allen exchanged words, and that Fortune encouraged Ellison to take action until the off-duty sergeant shot Allen in the back.
Ramsey said Ellison and Fortune were filed for departmental violations that occurred before the shooting and after -- namely, getting involved in a personal confrontation without calling 9-1-1, leaving the scene of the shooting and endangering the welfare of Ellison's son and Fortune's daughter, both of whom were with the off-duty cops.
Ramsey said the decision to fire Ellison and Fortune was "not something that I take pleasure in," but ultimately the right thing to do in light of the Internal Affairs investigation into the incident. He added that Ellison was not fired for firearms violations because a witness told police that Allen was armed. A weapon, however, was never found.
The commisioner said it's unclear if District Attorney Seth Williams will file criminal charges against Ellison and Fortune. The Daily News first reported last month that former D.A. Lynne Abraham had decided just before she left office to not press charges against Ellison. Abraham never publicly announced her decision, nor did she inform Allen's family.
In a recent interview with the Daily News, Abraham contended that she wasn't required to hold a press conference every time she made a decision. She added that she based her decision on the facts of the case, but declined to discuss the case further.
Allen's mother, Terry Bowen, said she was "thrilled" when she was informed of the cops' firings by Ramsey earlier today. Bowen recently complained that she felt like her son's case was being ignored by authorities, while other controversial cases -- most notably, the firing and subsequent arrest of off-duty cop Frank Tepper, who fatally shot an unarmed man in Port Richmond in November -- were being resolved.
Monday marks the one year anniversary of Allen's death. His mother had been planning to hold a rally in his memory and to call for Ellison's firing. Now, she said, she's just "waiting for Mr. Seth Williams to do what he has to do."
John McNesby, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, said he was upset that his office wasn't afforded a chance to review the Internal Affairs investigation before Ramsey stripped Ellison and Fortune of their badges. "We didn't even know there was a female officer involved," he said. "We find out about it from the Daily News and Inquirer."
Comment removed.
Mr. McNesby claims to not have an opportunity to review the IA investigation prior to the officers' discharge, nor was his office aware that a female officer was involved. The incident occurred in November 2008. When, exactly, was he planning to review the details of the shooting?— JoanieS- About time. I applaud Ramsey.— ralph
- Thank God, there's hope for this city yet. Criminal charges please.— phillypapers
- Thanks, Commissioner. And thank goodness Ms. Abraham is out of office.— citizen k
- Comment removed.
- Good for Ramsey. Now its Seth Wiliams turn :-) Take care of all these crooked cops once and for all.— B-Rooster
- Typo and conflation of civilian victim's name with fired cop: "Ramsey said Ellison and Allen were filed for departmental violations" should read "Ramsey said Ellison and Fortune were fired for departmental violations."— Jayfar
- Well at least he is being fair about it. These are 2 African American P/O's. You don't see that every day! And these scum give hard working cops a bad name and should be fired. (and for the record race baiters I am 1/2 Latino, 1/4 African American, and 1/4 White and I am just stating the FACTS)— IamAteacher2
- Jayfar: Typos have been corrected. Apologies.— phillyconfidential
- Comment removed.
- It's about time three down one more to go— Phillyaviator37
- hahah the union president didn't know there were two officers involved? and this happened two years ago? what a joke, hope the officers realize this— main liner
- "citizen k" hit the bull's eye. I hope DA Seth Williams starts prosecuting all dirty cops, not just the murdering one's. What about the cop that gripped the girl involved in a accident with his son and it's on video at the luk oil.— millsie9969
- If Lawrence Allen "had a gun".... . (a) why would two ARMED persons "be struggling"? . (b) once Lawrence Allen was shot (if he really had a gun), wouldn't either Sgt Ellison or Offisore Fortune simply pick up Allen's gun? (c) two ARMED police officers, and a paralyzed bleeding Lawrence Allen lying motionless in the street .... not even able to grasp the gun he allegedly possessed....and the two armed police officers simply GET BACK INTO THEIR VEHICLE AND DRIVE AWAY? And simply leave a handgun in the street? OH MY - that's credible!!! If Lawrence Allen really had a gun, and then Sgt. Ellison told Allen to drop the gun, and Allen disobeyed - Ellison would've fired directly AT Allen and then "created a scene" and waited for backup to arrive. There wouldn't have been anyone shot in the back at very close range. Oh yeah - that's also very credible!!— zen
