Ramon Vazquez, who is accused of shooting a Philadelphia police officer, shot at police officers in Puerto Rico in 2011, according to criminal records

PHILADELPHIA– The criminal record of the man accused of shooting a Philadelphia police officer shows that it was not the first time he opened fire on police officers.

Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez, 36, is being held on $12.5 million bail after allegedly shooting and seriously wounding a 25th Precinct police officer during a traffic stop in Kensington over the weekend.

That officer is still fighting for his life in intensive care. His identity has not been released at the request of his family, Philadelphia Police Chief Kevin Bethel said.

According to officials, he has to be put on a ventilator after the gunshot wound to the neck.

Now, investigators say, their only concern is to ensure justice.

“I want everyone to understand that what this family is going through is indescribable. It is unacceptable and we cannot tolerate it in this city,” said Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.

Sources told Action News that Saturday’s incident is not the first time Vazquez has been accused of shooting at police officers.

Criminal records show that Vazquez shot at police officers in Puerto Rico in 2011 following an alleged car theft.

The incident in Philadelphia began when police stopped Vazquez’s car in the area of ​​3500 F Street around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

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“That night, the men and women across the city continued to work and they will never stop fulfilling the mission they have given to this city. We will not be deterred by anyone,” Bethel said.

During the traffic stop, police learned that Vazquez did not have a driver’s license and said the vehicle was not registered.

Vazquez was able to make a call and a short time later three people arrived at the scene.

The group then managed to remove their belongings from the vehicle while officers waited for a tow truck.

During the operation, the officers saw a holster and pointed it at Vazquez, but he ran away.

Investigators say they have video showing what happens next.

“They immediately pursue him and try to stop him. While he is in the middle of the street, without provocation, (He) turns around and fires three shots at the officers. We now know that his partner fired at least once during the incident,” said Frank Vanore, deputy chief of investigations for the Philadelphia Police Department.

One officer was hit by the gunfire, according to police. The injured officer’s partner and the tow truck driver then quickly put him in the patrol car to take him to the hospital.

According to police, Vazquez then attempted to steal a minivan driver’s car and then broke into two homes, taking the second homeowner hostage.

RELATED: Homeowner taken hostage by man accused of shooting. Philly police officer describes horrific ordeal

The special forces surrounded the house and Vazquez was eventually arrested.

Vazquez faces a number of charges in connection with the officer shooting and the barricade situation. These charges include two counts of attempted murder of police officers, burglary, kidnapping and terroristic threats.

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