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Ex-cop charged with murder of unarmed man

District Attorney Seth Williams announced murder charges this morning against Frank Tepper, the off-duty police officer who shot and killed an unarmed Port Richmond man in November.

Philadelphia district attorney Seth Williams announces this morning that former police Officer Frank Tepper is charged with murder in the Nov. 21 shooting death of William "Billy" Panas Jr. on their Port Richmond street. (Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer)
Philadelphia district attorney Seth Williams announces this morning that former police Officer Frank Tepper is charged with murder in the Nov. 21 shooting death of William "Billy" Panas Jr. on their Port Richmond street. (Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer)Read more

The off-duty police officer who shot and killed an unarmed man in November has 24 hours to turn himself in after being charged with this morning murder, said District Attorney Seth Williams.

Frank Tepper, 43, allegedly opened fire on William "Billy" Panas, Jr., 21, during a late night melee in the Port Richmond neighborhood where they both lived.

Police initially said Tepper was trying to break up the fight and fired his gun after he was assaulted. Witnesses disputed that, saying Tepper appeared drunk and Panas never threatened him.

Tepper, a 16-year veteran of the force, was stripped of his badge last month after an investigation found Tepper committed "numerous violations" of Police Department procedures on the night of the shooting.

In December, then D.A. Lynne M. Abraham announced a grand-jury probe into the case. Since Williams assumed office there have not been any new witnesses presented to the Grand Jury.

This morning, Williams said Tepper had been charged on a review of the evidence.

"The public demands that we apply the same standard of justice to every case regardless of the status of the victim or the defendant. And I have imposed that standard in this case," Williams said.

In addition to murder, Tepper is also charged with possession of an instrument of crime and recklessly endangering another person, Williams said.