Overnight, police arrested the woman police say was with murder suspect Daniel Giddings when the fatal confrontation began in North Philadelphia yesterday.
Commissioner Ramsey told reporters today, "We also have the woman who was with the suspect yesterday. She is also now in homicide. Her name is Chanel Howard. I don't know her age, but she is also in custody now and being … interviewed in homicide."
Police say they still don't know exactly what happened. They do know the killing of 8-year department veteran Patrick McDonald came of a foot pursuit. Police say Giddings used a 45-caliber semiautomatic to execute McDonald. A member of the elite highway patrol division, the officer, sources say, was shot at least 7 times in the chest.
Giddings was a wanted felon who scuffled with police last month. Giddings was 27 and was just released from prison last month. Sources tell Action News he had 22 misconduct charges, and was in jail for a 1998 robbery and aggravated assault. He was wanted again after an altercation with police.
"Get violent offenders in jail and keep them in jail. I mean, here is a guy with a long criminal history," said Ramsey.
Police say Daniel Giddings was shot and killed during his deadly rampage by Officer Richard Bowes, who responded to McDonald's assist call. Bowes was wounded in the leg during the shootout, in which police say at least 30 shots were fired. Bowes is expected to make a full recovery.
Last night Mayor Nutter visited again with Officer Bowes and says he's in good spirits.
The mayor made an emotional request by saying, "When you see the men and women, whether they're in uniform or not, if you see a police officer today, please take a moment to umm… Just please take a moment."
Philadelphia District Attorney Lynn Abraham issued a statement Wednesday saying, "Officer Bowes use of deadly force was fully justified to protect other officers and the public."
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