Former 15th Police District Officer Ryan Pownall, of Bustleton, has been charged with criminal homicide stemming from the fatal shooting of David Jones in 2017.
District Attorney Larry Krasner on Tuesday charged former 15th Police District Officer Ryan Pownall with criminal homicide, possession of an Instrument of crime and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the June 8, 2017 death of David Jones.
Pownall, a Bustleton resident and 12-year veteran, voluntarily turned himself in on Tuesday. His arraignment has not been set.
Krasner acted after receiving a recommendation from a grand jury.
“The duty of the District Attorney’s Office is to represent the commonwealth — — every person in the commonwealth — — and do justice, which includes speaking the truth, applying justice equally and exercising power with restraint. The commonwealth includes the family of David Jones. It includes Officer Pownall. We are applying justice evenhandedly today and will do so moving forward,” he said. “I would like to thank the grand jurors for their dedication and thoughtful consideration of the evidence.”
The grand jury found that Jones was riding his dirt bike near Whitaker and Hunting Park avenues in Feltonville. Pownall was transporting a father and his two children to the Special Victims Unit for an interview about a crime that was committed against one of the children.
Pownall followed Jones into a nightclub parking lot and felt a firearm after frisking him. After a physical altercation. Pownall attempted to shoot Jones, but his gun jammed.
The grand jury said Jones broke free, threw his gun away and fled. Pownall shot Jones twice in the back.
In August 2017, Black Lives Matter held a protest outside Pownall’s house. One month later, Police Commissioner Richard Ross held a news conference to announce Pownall’s suspension with intent to dismiss. ••
