Authorities said a 45-year-old Delaware County man will be charged with attempted murder and other crimes after a Philadelphia police officer was shot Wednesday afternoon in West Philadelphia.
Police on Thursday identified the injured officer as 32-year-old Giovanni Maysonet, a five-year veteran of the force. Maysonet, who was shot in his abdomen, was originally listed in critical condition but his status has been upgraded, officials said.
The alleged shooter, Eric Haynes, of Darby, was apprehended at around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday – about five hours after the shooting – in Southwest Philadelphia, according to investigators.
A SWAT team arrested Haynes, who was in the driver’s seat of a vehicle parked in a rear alley, and officers found a loaded handgun on the ground near the car, police said.
Haynes is set to be charged with aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer and various weapons charges, in addition to two counts of attempted murder. His attorney could not be identified through court records Wednesday.
Delaware County courts had an active warrant out for Haynes related to a 2016 case in which he was charged with resisting arrest, the District Attorney’s Office said. Prosecutors indicated they would push to have Haynes detained on $10 million bail.
The shooting occurred at around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on the 200 block of N. 60th Street, near Summer Street, after Maysonet and his partner pulled over a Lexus, investigators said. Authorities have not disclosed why the officers stopped the vehicle.
Maysonet went to the passenger’s side, where Haynes was seated, police said. Haynes allegedly got out of the car and turned his back to Maysonet, who grabbed him, wrapping his hands around Haynes’s midsection, according to authorities.
Haynes is accused of then firing at least two shots – one of which struck Maysonet in the stomach area and exited through his back. Another bullet was blocked by the officer’s vest, police said.
Maysonet’s partner, a 28-year-old officer Mychal Couch, responded by firing several shots, none of which appear to have hit anyone, police said. Haynes allegedly ran from the scene.
Authorities said Maysonet was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for surgery. He was later listed in stable condition.
“How many times do I have to say enough is enough?” Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw tweeted Thursday. “It is NOT our job to become martyrs. Attacks against our brave officers – and the people we serve – will not be tolerated.”
The driver of the Lexus, identified as Ernest Reed, also known as Raymond Wilson, will be charged with evidence tampering, obstruction of justice and other offenses, the District Attorney’s Office said Thursday. One other person was in the car but is not expected to face charges.
Reed was on probation at the time of his arrest, according to prosecutors.
Couch has been removed from street duty pending an investigation, which is PPD protocol for a shooting involving a police officer.
