Family fight turns deadly; cop charged

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA. Family members of the man allegedly killed by his brother-in-law — an off-duty cop — Sunday night in South Philadelphia said yesterday that the officer had pulled his gun in public before.

Rudolph Gary Jr., 26, was arrested yesterday and charged with murder for the death of Howard Williams, 22. Gary was picking up his 8-year-old son on Hoffman Street near 18th around 6:30 p.m. Sunday when his girlfriend got into a fight with another woman over being sprayed with a water gun, according to Williams’ family.

After the fight was broken up, Gary retrieved a gun from his vehicle and told the crowd to “back the f— up” before shooting Williams, they said. When Williams fell to the ground, eyewitnesses claim Gary fired three more rounds, hitting Williams in the chest. Police didn’t release any details of the shooting and said the investigation is ongoing.

“Even when we were together, if something wasn’t going his way, [his anger] was triggered,” said Shanae Williams, Williams’ sister and Gary’s estranged wife. She claims the two had a dispute in October and her brother confronted Gary, prompting him to pull out his gun.

“Even when police came, he still had his gun drawn,” she said.

Gary, a 14th district officer, had been on the force for about two years and was a former Marine, according to his Facebook page. He was suspended for 30 days with the intent to dismiss. His family could not be reached for comment.

Shanae Williams said her brother was set to begin a job this week and start classes at Community College of Philadelphia.