PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Temple University student who was carjacked just moments after campus Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald was fatally shot testified at trial Tuesday about how the suspect threatened to kill him.
“Give me your keys or I will kill you,” the student recalled Miles Pfeffer telling him the night of Feb. 18, 2023. The student’s testimony came on the second day of Pfeffer’s trial.
The student told jurors he had just grabbed food and was going back to his apartment when he heard gunshots. As he tried to run across the street to safety, a “shady” figure wearing black and a mask ran around the corner and approached him. He said “bro, bro, bro” to the student before demanding his car keys.
Prosecutors identified that man as 20-year-old Pfeffer, who is facing first-degree murder charges. Pfeffer, who was 18 at the time, is accused of shooting 31-year-old Fitzgerald six times at close range, killing him.
Prosecutors played video of the shooting for jurors on Tuesday. In the footage, Fitzgerald was heard ordering Pfeffer to stop fighting him. Then, Pfeffer stood over Fitzgerald and fired several shots into the officer.
Pfeffer’s younger brother, Dean, also testified Tuesday. He identified himself, Miles Pfeffer, and their friend in a number of surveillance videos. Dean Pfeffer said the three of them started their day in Center City, eventually making their way to Temple University’s campus. They went to a corner store to grab a drink, after walking around “aimlessly,” and that’s when Dean Pfeffer said his brother and the friend noticed an officer watching them, so they ran.
Dean Pfeffer testified that they all split up, and about a minute later, he heard half a dozen shots and saw the area quickly swarmed with police. All were taken into custody for questioning.
The friend also testified, saying Miles Pfeffer often spoke about guns and was known to carry one.
The defense conceded that Miles Pfeffer is the shooter, but his attorneys said he fired his gun out of fear. They also argued the killing was not premeditated. It is unclear if the defendant will take the stand.
Also in the courtroom on Tuesday were the widows of fallen officers, including Marissa Fitzgerald, the wife of Christopher Fitzgerald, who was embraced by the widow of Officer Chuck Cassidy. The widow of Officer Richard Mendez has also been present during the trial.
Miles Pfeffer faces automatic life in prison if convicted.