Philadelphia officers who fatally shot hammer-wielding suspect identified

Officers Julian Jones was shot once in the right knee, police said. The second officer was not injured.

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Friday, October 29, 2021
Philadelphia police ID suspect killed after attacking officer
Responding officers encountered a man, who has been identified as Koffi Dzima, armed with a handheld pickaxe and hammer.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Authorities have identified the two Philadelphia police officers who shot and killed a man who attacked one of them with a hammer Tuesday afternoon.

The incident began on the 5700 block of Overbrook Avenue around 3:05 p.m. in the city's Wynnefield section.

Officers Julian Jones and Cindy Williams-Dorin responded to a dispute between a landlord and tenant. That's where they encountered Koffi Dzima, who was armed with a handheld pickaxe and hammer.

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The suspect approached Jones with the weapons in each hand as he neared the front door, police said.

Jones ordered Dzima to drop the weapons, but police said the commands were ignored and the officer deployed his Taser.

Dzima fell to the floor inside the home as the officer, along with another officer and a few other people, ran toward the driveway.

Officers said despite the Taser, Dzima approached Jones and hit him in the head with the hammer.

The officer fell to the ground and police said Dzima, who was still armed, stood over him. At that point, both officers shot Dzima, police said.

Jones suffered one gunshot wound to the knee, police said. He is currently listed in stable condition at an area hospital. Williams-Dorin was not injured.

Dzima was taken to Lankenau Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:29 p.m.

It's still unclear how the officer was struck by gunfire.

Police said the incident was captured on the officers' body cameras.

Both officers are three-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and are currently assigned to the 19th District.

A Philadelphia police officer was rushed to the hospital after he was shot while responding to a dispute between a landlord and tenant on Tuesday afternoon.