PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — We are learning new details about the deadly officer-involved shooting in North Philadelphia on Friday night that left a man dead and an officer injured.
This, as the search continues for a man who police say stole a gun from the scene of the shooting where 28-year-old Alexander Spencer was shot and killed by police.
There is also new video that has surfaced from the night of the shooting, which is being used in the investigation.
The officer who was shot was released Monday afternoon from Temple University Hospital. His name has not yet been made public.
The officer who was shot was released Monday afternoon from Temple University Hospital.
Now, those who were on the scene are questioning why police initially went into the grocery store.
Action News is showing the beginning of a social media video from a witness who started recording after police were already in a struggle with Spencer on the ground. It has also been blurred.
“Yo, what y’all doing, bruh? What y’all doing?” the witness recording the video can be heard saying.
Police say they are aware of this 30-second clip and that it’s part of the investigation.
The incident happened Friday night inside Jennifer Tavern on the corner of N. Mascher and W. Cambria streets in North Philadelphia.
Police say two officers entered the store and tried to stop Spencer before they got into a scuffle.
Spencer is then on the ground with one officer.
Officers say that’s when Spencer allegedly shot one officer in the leg and the officer’s partner returned fire, killing Spencer.
However, by watching the video, it’s unclear who fired shots first.
You can then hear the bystander who was recording questioning police and then an officer calls for help.
“I need someone right now. My partner is shot,” one of the officers is heard saying to his radio.
Investigators have not said why they tried to stop Spencer or what led to it.
During the incident, police say 42-year-old Jose Quinones-Mendez fled the scene with Spencer’s gun. However, that part isn’t seen on the video clip shot by the witness.
Right now, police are searching for Quinones-Mendez, who is facing several charges, including obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence. He is considered armed and dangerous, according to police.
The Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5 is offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to Quinones-Mendez’s arrest.
“Our reward is payable immediately, if the tip information leads to the whereabouts of this individual,” said, FOP Lodge #5 President, Roosevelt Poplar.
Quinones-Mendez is described as being 5’8″ tall and approximately 160 lbs. His last known address was on the 2900 block of North Hancock Street.
Spencer’s friends have since created a memorial in his honor outside of the store where they say he often went to play the slot machines.
“I just feel like I just want to know what really happened. What did he do? Y’all could’ve just arrested him. Y’all could’ve just done way better,” said one of Spencer’s friends who did not want to be identified.
The names of the two officers have not been released. The wounded officer has been on the force for nine years and the officer who fired has been on the force for five years.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Anyone with information on Quinones-Mendez’s whereabouts is being asked to call the Philadelphia police homicide unit at 215-686-3334 or 9-1-1.
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The Associated Press contributed to this post.
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