2 ex-cops charged in deadly dispute ‘over a pizza’

Two former Philadelphia police officers were charged today in the fatal off-duty shooting of a 19-year-old peacemaker in a dispute "over a pizza" in 2008 in West Oak Lane, District Attorney Seth Williams announced.

Chauncey Ellison Sr., 39, was charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of Lawrence Allen. Ellison also was charged with conspiracy and reckless endangerment along with his then-girlfriend Robin Fortune, 44.

The charges followed a grand jury investigation launched by Williams after his predecessor Lynn Abraham declined to the prosecute the case.

Ellison was a police sergeant and Fortune was a police officer on Nov. 17, 2008, when Ellison allegedly shot Allen in the back outside the victim's his home on the 1900 block of Renovo Street.

Allen, paralyzed by the bullet, died on Feb. 15, 2009.

The tragic chain of events began when Ellison's son and Fortune's son, both 14, said that their pizza was stolen by a 16-year-old neighborhood youth.

Ellison, armed with his police-issued Glock 17 semiautomatic handgun, drove around in search of the robber with his son, Fortune and her 16-year-old daughter, Williams said.

They did not call 911 until after the shooting, the D.A.'s office said.

After catching up with the alleged 16-year-old robber outside Allen's house, Ellison "jumped out of the car with his gun drawn," according to the Williams' office. "Allen, who was outside with his two sisters, his pregnant girlfriend, and the accused robber, put himself between Ellison's gun and the teen to try and calm the situation. All of the witnesses to the confrontation ... testified that Allen offered to pay for the stolen pizza despite the fact that he and his family were not involved in the robbery."

Fortune is accused of inflaming the situation by allegedly urging Ellison on, calling him names and demanding that he "pop one of these [expletives]."

She also asked Ellison if he was "going to let them do this to your son."

Williams said the arrests should deliver a clear message.

"We will prosecute you for your crimes, no matter who you are, no matter what job title you may have. ... This young man was shot over a pizza by someone who was supposed to protect and serve our community. Words cannot adequately describe how tragic that is."