The union that represents officers in the Philadelphia Police Department, on Monday, announced a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of Jose Quinones-Mendez, 42, of North Philadelphia.
Officials believe Quinones-Mendez took the handgun that was used to shoot a police officer on Friday inside a store on the 2800 block of N. Mascher Street and then fled the scene of the incident.
“Our reward is payable immediately, if the tip information leads to the whereabouts of this individual,” Roosevelt Poplar, president of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 5, said in a statement. "This individual should be considered armed and dangerous after fleeing the scene with a firearm.”
On Sunday, officials released details on Quinones-Mendez, saying he is about five-foot, eight-inches tall and weighs about 160 lbs. and his last known address was along the 2900 block of N. Hancock Street.
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He is being sought after police killed a man -- identified as 28-year-old Alexander Spencer by his family -- in a shooting incident on Friday after the man, allegedly, shot an officer in the leg.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Quinones-Mendez is asked to call the Philadelphia police homicide unit at 215-686-3334 or by dialing 911.
"We have a gun crisis in this city as is. To get one more gun off the street is a positive thing for us," Poplar said.
That officer was taken to the hospital and listed in stable condition, officials said. He was later released from the hospital Monday afternoon.
“The entire FOP Executive Board and our members wish this 24th District Philadelphia Police Officer a speedy recovery after he was shot in the leg. We ask the public to keep this officer and his family in your thoughts and prayers,” said, Poplar.
Philadelphia police report of the shooting
Philadelphia police said two officers entered a grocery store on Jan. 26 around 8:45 p.m. on Mascher and Cambria streets. The officers approached a group of men standing in the store, including Spencer.
While the officers attempted to stop one of the men, Spencer scuffled with them and fired a gunshot, striking one of the officers in the leg, investigators said. The wounded officer's partner then pulled out a gun and opened fire, shooting and killing Spencer, according to officials.
Police said another man -- identified as Quinones-Mendez -- picked up Spencer's gun and fled the scene.
Spencer's family disputes police report
Loved ones held a vigil for Alexander Spencer and disputed the police report of the shooting. One of Spencer's relatives -- who did not want to be identified -- told NBC10 Spencer was playing with a gambling machine at the store prior to the shooting. He believes one of the officers involved did or said something to provoke Spencer.
"He takes care of his kids. He's never just out getting in trouble. He do what he gotta do for his family," the relative said. "It's as simple as that and it's not right what he did."
Video appears to show the shooting
Police said they are reviewing a video that has appeared on social media following Friday's shooting.
That video appears to show the officers struggling with Spencer during the deadly incident on Friday. The video is considered part of the police investigation into this incident.
In the video, two officers lean over Spencer and gunshots are heard though it's unclear who fired at who. After the second gunshot, an officer calls for backup and places his knee on Spencer's head.
At this time police have not released any bodycam footage of the shooting and have not responded to requests for the footage.
On Monday, NBC10 filed an Act 22 with the Philadelphia Police Department formally requesting body camera footage of the shooting. Police have 30 days to respond to the request.
Poplar, FOP President, said there is a PPD policy on when officers should turn on their bodycams.
"If something happens unexpectedly, I don't know if they have enough time to turn on their bodycams," Poplar said.
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