Two police officers who rendered aid at the scene of the shooting of eight Northeast High School students were honored at last week’s 2nd Police District Advisory Council meeting.
Police officers Sean Burgess and Cristian Rodriguez used tourniquets on the shooting victims, saving their lives.
All eight victims, including the intended target, survived the shooting.
The March 6 shooting took place near the Dunkin’ Donuts at 7300 Rising Sun Ave. in Burholme.
In addition to the heroics by Burgess and Rodriguez, two waitresses from the Quaker Diner provided assistance.
Capt. Marc Metellus and community relations officer Mark Mroz represented the 2nd district at the PDAC meeting.
Metellus said the victim who was targeted was a Lawncrest resident, adding that a gang from Olney was behind the shooting.
The 2nd district has visited the victims and spoken to local principals, and will meet virtually every month with all principals in the district.
The getaway car was stolen and had a phony license plate and tinted windows.
Some at the meeting want enforcement against tinted windows and repeal of the city’s Driving Equality Act, which passed City Council and was supported by Mayor Cherelle Parker when she was in Council.
Mroz challenged Council members to go on ride-alongs to see how police officers are unable to stop vehicles with violations due to the Driving Equality Act.
As of the March 12 PDAC meeting, three suspects had been arrested and charged with attempted murder. One other suspect was arrested on Tuesday.
On Monday, Metellus was transferred to be the commanding officer of the Police Athletic League. The new commander of the 2nd is newly promoted Capt. Scott DiDonato.
In other news from the meeting:
• State Sen. Jimmy Dillon addressed the group.
Dillon said he supports funding for the Philadelphia Police Foundation to recruit and retain officers and add surveillance cameras.
Overall, Dillon said he is hopeful for the city, since it has a new mayor, City Council president, police commissioner and FOP Lodge 5 president. He noted Philadelphia will be on the world stage in 2026 as the country celebrates its semiquincentennial, or 250th birthday. Among other things, the city will host the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and World Cup soccer games.
The lawmaker said he opposes a plan to build concrete medians on Castor Avenue as part of a project that will transform the road from two lanes of traffic each way to one.
Dillon invited constituents to visit his offices at 10007 Ferndale St. and 12361 Academy Road.
The senator will hold a senior expo on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at MaST Community Charter School III, 1 Crown Way.
• There will be a Northeast Police Division Inspector’s community town hall meeting on Thursday, March 21, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Dominic’s Marian Hall, 8532 Frankford Ave.
• Sen. Tina Tartaglione will hold a shredding event on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Wissinoming Park.
• The 2nd PDAC will meet on April 9, May 14 and June 11 at 6 p.m. at the Philadelphia Protestant Home. ••
