The drug suspect who was shot by a police officer on Operation Safe Streets patrol died from his injuries last Wednesday.
Milo Fornwald, 20, of the 600 block of McKean Street, was pronounced dead at 2 p.m. June 11 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Fornwald’s family is meeting with police officials to discuss the circumstances surrounding the incident — particularly, why the 20-year-old was shot when he wielded no weapon, a source close to the family told the Review.
Fourth District Officer Frederick Girardo opened fire on Fornwald after he allegedly drove toward him and attempted to run him over when the officer tried to break up a drug sale, police said.
After the suspect allegedly ignored the officer’s demand to stop, Girardo discharged his weapon and fired two shots at Fornwald through the windshield, police said. Fornwald was hit in the head and right shoulder.
Meanwhile, an Internal Affairs investigation continues, as is routine for all police shootings.
Girardo, a six-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, has been assigned to desk duty until the investigation is completed.
A source from Internal Affairs said such investigations normally take a few months. The department meets with the District Attorney’s Office and reviews witness statements, firearms and other reports, said the source. Based on the findings, the District Attorney will decide whether or not to pursue the case.
Gunned down on street
A 27-year-old man remains in critical condition after being gunned down Sunday night, police said.
As of yesterday, investigators had no motives or suspects.
Police found the victim on the 2800 block of Jackson Street around 9:45 p.m. Sunday, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detective Division. The victim had been shot four times — in the chest, stomach and both arms, the sergeant said.
He was transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Pain-free bullet
A local man didn’t realize he had been shot in the leg until after he entered a store and someone told him he was bleeding, police said.
While walking along the 2300 block of Tasker Street, the 29-year-old victim told police he heard what he thought were firecrackers around 2 a.m. Monday, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detectives.
The man then walked into a nearby store, where he learned he had been shot, the sergeant said.
The victim went home and had a friend take him to St. Agnes Medical Center, where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the left calf and listed in stable condition, reported Biello.
Investigators recovered nine 9 mm casings at the scene, the sergeant said.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Sitting duck for shooter?
A gunman allegedly got his revenge when he opened fire on another man he believed had "snitched" on him in the past, police said.
The shooter approached the 19-year-old victim as he sat with a friend outside a house on the 1900 block of South Hemberger Street, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detectives.
The victim took a bullet in his left leg in Friday’s 9:30 p.m. incident, Biello said. He was taken to HUP and listed in good condition. The victim was only able to provide police with a nickname for the shooter, reports stated.
Police had made no arrest as of yesterday, said Biello.
Mystery man kills dog
The 33-year-old owner of a pit bull saw his dog gunned down before his eyes after another dog ran up and started to attack the man’s pet, police said.
The drama unfolded shortly after 10:30 a.m. Friday, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detectives.
The owner was walking his 2-year-old canine on 19th Street near Annin when a large black and white unleashed dog ran up and began attacking the pit bull, Biello said.
An unknown man then walked up and shot the pit bull about four times, said the sergeant.
Fearing for his own life, the dog’s owner ran down the 1900 block of Annin Street. When he heard police sirens, he returned and found his dog dead, Biello said.
Police are investigating the possibility that the shooter may have been the owner of the dog that attacked the pit bull.
Investigators recovered four .22-caliber casings at the scene, said Biello.
The pit bull was transported to the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Association.
Cops find cache of stolen tools
When police arrested a man for stealing items from a car earlier this month, they got so much more, officials said.
According to Lt. Walt Bell of South Detectives, the suspect chose to cooperate with police and led them to a stolen-goods operation for which he was a supplier.
Bell would not release the name of the suspect because he is aiding detectives with the investigation.
Based on information gleaned from the suspect, investigators executed a search and seizure warrant on the 1900 block of South Ninth Street, where they recovered a cache of stolen tools and all types of construction equipment, the lieutenant said.
Enzo Daniele, 50, who lives at the address, was charged with various counts of receiving stolen property, Bell said.
Detectives recovered several hundred miscellaneous tools — including power, hand and construction-type tools, Bell said. The suspects allegedly targeted contractors and stole their tools from vans, construction sites and houses under renovation, the lieutenant added.
The recovered items are on display inside a garage at 214 Christian St. today through next Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Bell said.
"A lot of it has already been identified, but there’s still a lot that hasn’t," the lieutenant said.
Police are urging contractors or anyone else who has had tools stolen within the past year to visit the garage or call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
New town watch forming
South Philly has a new town watch group that covers Broad to Eighth streets and Snyder Avenue to Tasker Street. Organizer Russell Burke said the group has yet to be named.
The first meeting will be held tonight at 7 at the Vikings Mummers Club, 11th and McClellan streets (near Mifflin).
Art Potts of Operation Philadelphia Town Watch will train all volunteers who want to keep an eye on their neighborhood.
Anyone interested in joining the group should call Potts at 215-686-1454.
