Police Officer Robert Wilson III (Photo : ABC News)
A Philadelphia Police officer was gunned down during a shootout with two suspects who were trying to rob a video game store in North Philadelphia on Thursday.
It was said that the officer was just buying a gift for his son for good grades when he was shot. The suspects were identified as brothers Ramone Williams and Carlton Hipps. The two have been charged with first-degree murder, according to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey.
The fallen police officer has been identified as Officer Robert Wilson III, who is an eight-year veteran of the force, Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
The shootout happened at about 4:45 p.m. at GamesStop store at 22nd Street and Lehigh Avenues.
According to CBS Local, Ramsey said that Officer Wilson, who was in full uniform, entered the store to buy his eight-year-old son a video game as a reward for doing well in school. While the officer was in line, the investigators say that Williams and Hipps entered the store and declared a robbery.
Around nine employees and customers were inside the store when Officer Wilson confronted the men.
The police say Officer Wilson engaged the suspects and exchanged gunfire. Both suspects had semi-automatic weapons and were firing at Officer Wilson, according to Police Homicide Captain James Clark.
Clark said that Officer Wilson went on firing at the suspects until he was shot in the head-which was the fatal shot.
Having the officer down, the suspects then ran outside and got engaged into another shootout with Officer Wilson's partner who was in a police cruiser just outside the store.
During the shootout, Hipps was shot in the leg, while Williams ran into the store and attempted to blend in with the crowd. He was eventually identified and taken into custody. According to Clark, Williams made a full confession, saying that they did not see the police car outside the store nor did they see Officer Wilson inside.
"He didn't see car or officer inside until he announced robbery."
Ramsey commended Officer Wilson for his act of saving the lives of both customers and employees at the store. Ramsey said, "After seeing the video of what happened in that store, he redefined what being a hero is all about."
According to preliminary investigation, a total of 50 gunshots were fired during the incident.
Arrangements for Officer Wilson's funeral are still pending.
The incident, however, remains under investigation.
