Ex-head of Philly PD firearms unit wanted for questioning found dead in apparent suicide

A former commander of the Philadelphia Police Department Firearms Identification who was scheduled to testify about thefts in his department Thursday was found dead of an apparent suicide, according to reports.

Lt. Vincent J. Testa, 53, was found unresponsive by his girlfriend Wednesday morning, Philly.com reported. Police did not release a cause of death but told the paper there were no signs of foul play.

RELATED:Six Philadelphia cops in corruption trial acquitted of all charges

Testa was accused in a 2012 lawsuit of encouraging officers not to report thefts from his department.

Those alleged thefts came to light in a 2011 Philly.com article. Testa was removed from his command of the unit, and one of his former subordinates later admitted he had stolen weapons parts.

At the time of his death, Testa was assigned to Differential Police Response, a unit within the department that is often staffed by officers who are under investigation, Philly Magazine reported.