Homeowner held hostage by man accused of shooting Philadelphia police officer recounts horrific ordeal; Ramon Vazquez arrested

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A Philadelphia police officer is still fighting for his life after being shot in the line of duty this weekend.

He has been in the intensive care unit since Saturday night.

Charges were brought against the suspected shooter following a large-scale manhunt and a street barricade action.

Now Action News learns more about the dramatic conclusion of this search.

The suspect was identified by police as 36-year-old Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez.

He was jailed on Saturday night after police said he shot and killed a police officer and then barricaded himself in another man’s home and took the resident hostage.

This homeowner spoke exclusively with Action News through a translator.

He asked to remain anonymous but said the suspect holding him hostage actually called someone and explained that he had just shot a police officer and asked for help.

The hostage homeowner said he was sitting outside when Vazquez entered his home as if he lived there.

“(He) says, ‘If you try anything, I will put a gun on your shoulder, and I will continue to hurt you if you do not cooperate,'” the translator relayed on behalf of the homeowner.

The man sat there frightened for almost two hours, not knowing what to do.

“He says he was scared. He didn’t expect something like this to happen. He was just standing on the stairs to get some cool air and then he went into the house and just took him hostage, grabbed him by his shirt and collar and told him: ‘Go into the room, don’t move. When everything calms down, I’ll let you go. I’m leaving,'” the translator reported.

According to police, it all started when two police officers conducted a traffic stop in the 3500 block of F Street in the Kensington neighborhood shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday.

According to the officers, there were four people in the car and the police saw a holster during the inspection.

According to police, Vazquez then fled the scene and shot the officers three times.

One of the officers was shot in the neck. His partner returned fire and then took the injured officer to Temple University Hospital.

The officer who was shot remains in critical condition in the surgical intensive care unit.

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel spoke outside Temple University Hospital late Saturday night.

“I often come here with a lot of anger because I know what my men and women have to endure. Today I have a different request. Today I was sitting in an auditorium with about 75 to 100 men from the East Division, and we held hands when Commissioner Stanford brought us together, and we prayed for our officer,” Bethel said. “So today I ask the people all over the city of Philadelphia to pray for our officer.”

“We must pray for this ministry in Philadelphia (And) “He is protecting the people of our city and doing a noble job under very difficult circumstances. His partner, I want us to pray for him as well,” added Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker (D).

Several people who were in the car with the shooter are also in police custody, but it is still unclear whether they will face charges.

Vazquez faces a litany of charges, including attempted murder, theft, kidnapping and other crimes in connection with the burglary.

The name of the police officer who was shot has not been released. Officials say he is 31 years old and has been with the police for six years.

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