Published on July 25 | Updated on July 27
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Charges have been filed against an off-duty Philadelphia police officer who allegedly shot and killed his uncle in Northampton County.
According to court documents, Kenroy Anthony Cummings, 25, admitted to shooting Shakair Moncrieffe, 27, but did so in self-defense.
Pennsylvania State Police were called to a home in Allen Township, just north of Allentown, around 2 p.m. on Friday, July 24, for reports of a domestic violence incident. There, they found Moncrieffe suffering from gunshot wounds.
Police said Cummings, a two-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department who was off-duty at the time, responded to a call from a young relative who said Moncrieffe allegedly threatened him. Moncrieffe was Cummings' uncle.
According to the criminal complaint, a confrontation ensured after Cummings arrived, which is when Moncrieffe allegedly tried to grab Cummings' gun from his pocket. Authorities said Cummings shot Moncrieffe several times in the head, then fled the scene. Moncrieffe died at an area hospital about an hour later.
Cummings allegedly led officers on a high-speed chase exceeding speeds of more than 100 mph. He was apprehended after stopping his vehiclecto dispose of the gun. He has been charged with criminal homicide and attempting to flee police.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said the event was tragic and that Cummings would be removed from the department while the homicide investigation plays out.
“From all indications I get, he was a good police officer,” Bethel said. “I believe he worked in the Kensington area, so based on all of the reports I get from the men and women here in the field and my command staff, he was a decent officer. We don't know again what those scenarios are, we don't know his reasons behind taking someone else's life."
