Christmas Village security guard killed man at LOVE Park, police say

A security guard at Center City’s Christmas Village has been charged with murder in connection with a fatal shooting Tuesday night at LOVE Park, police said.

When officers were called to the park, near City Hall, at around 8:45 p.m., they found 29-year-old Ryan Groff suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Groff, who is from the Lancaster area, died a short time later at Jefferson University Hospital.

Investigators said Groff was trying to access a section of the plaza that was off-limits due to the construction of the village, which is not scheduled to open until later this month.

Thomas Gregory, 43, a guard employed with a private security contractor, confronted Groff and then walked to his Jeep SUV, grabbed a black duffel bag and pulled out an unlicensed handgun, authorities said.

He fired at least two rounds before returning to his vehicle and fleeing the area, according to Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Frank Vanore.

Vanore said detectives recovered a significant amount of video evidence and spoke to several people who witnessed the shooting.

A supervisor at the security company picked up Gregory, who had returned home, at around 10:45 p.m. Tuesday and drove him to police headquarters, authorities said.

Gregory is being charged with murder, weapons violations and related crimes, according to police. His attorney could not be identified Wednesday.

Mayor Jim Kenney told reporters Gregory should not have been armed as part of his duties and indicated that he was not legally permitted to own a gun due to his criminal history.

Police did not provide the name of the security contractor.

The village, an array of shops and food vendors that show up seasonally at LOVE Park and around City Hall, is preparing to open for a preview weekend Nov. 20, with a full opening set for Thanksgiving Day.