PHILADELPHIA – The family of slain Temple University Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald has filed a negligence and wrongful death lawsuit against his alleged, teenaged murderer Miles Pfeffer, Pfeffer’s parents and his mother’s longtime boyfriend, charging that they knew of the alleged killer’s mental instability and violent tendencies, and did not prevent him from committing Fitzgerald’s murder.
Marissa Fitzgerald of Philadelphia, Joel Fitzgerald, Ph.D. of Colorado and Pauline Fitzgerald of Texas (as Co-Administrators of the Estate of Christopher Fitzgerald, deceased) filed suit in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on May 31 versus Miles Pfeffer, Jill Petruska and George E. Shaw of Buckingham, plus Mark Pfeffer of Philadelphia.
“This matter arises from the savage and brutal murder of Temple University Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald, who was gunned down in cold blood on Feb. 18, 2023. Fitzgerald was patrolling an area of North Philadelphia in the course of his work as a Temple University Police Officer. At approximately 7:15 p.m., Fitzgerald was patrolling in his police cruiser. He soon encountered several young men, including defendant Miles Pfeffer, who were acting suspiciously,” the suit states.
“The young men fled on foot, going in different directions. Officer Fitzgerald pursued defendant Miles Pfeffer and attempted to stop the latter from retreating. While the two were in close contact, defendant Miles Pfeffer drew a gun and shot at Fitzgerald, striking him and knocking him to the ground. Defendant Miles Pfeffer then approached the defenseless Officer Fitzgerald on the ground. Surveillance video shows defendant Miles Pfeffer standing over Fitzgerald and shooting him several times in the head.”
The suit continues that this “horrific and tragic act of barbarism” could and should have been prevented by those closest to defendant Miles Pfeffer, including his mother, defendant Jill Petruska, his mother’s longtime boyfriend, defendant George Shaw and his father, defendant Mark Pfeffer – who all had “detailed knowledge of Miles Pfeffer’s mental instability, propensity for violence and strong interest in possessing and using firearms.”
“Defendant Jill Petruska and defendant George Shaw housed, clothed and fed defendant Miles Pfeffer at their luxury home in Buckingham Township. It was here that defendant Miles Pfeffer had a safe haven and ready access to multiple firearms. Indeed, his mother picked him up and drove him back to the Buckingham property after her son had finished slaughtering Christopher Fitzgerald,” the suit says.
“Defendant Miles Pfeffer showed signs, again and again, that he presented a high risk of harm to himself and those around him. Despite the repeated signs, including multiple juvenile offenses, multiple school infractions, a bomb scare, and threats to bring weapons to school, defendants Petruska, Shaw and Mark Pfeffer failed to take the necessary steps to avoid catastrophe.”
After carjacking a motorist to escape from the murder site and being transported to his family’s Buckingham Township property, Miles Pfeffer, 18, was arrested there the following morning and charged with first-degree murder. His first court appearance is scheduled for July 18 and he is being held without bail.
Plaintiff counsel Joseph M. Marrone issued a statement on the litigation.
“This lawsuit will hold Pfeffer’s family legally responsible for the negligence and enablement that contributed to Sgt. Fitzgerald’s tragic death. Chris was a loving husband and father, as well as a dedicated officer with a distinguished record of service to the Temple University community. His senseless death has left a deep void in the lives of his family, friends and fellow officers,” Marrone said.
“Today’s action serves as a reminder of the importance of pursuing justice and accountability in cases involving brutal and preventable acts of violence. As the legal process unfolds, the entire country will be watching closely, hoping for a just resolution for Sgt. Fitzgerald’s family. They urge everyone to remember the dedicated service of Sgt. Fitzgerald and to honor his memory by working towards a safer and more just society.”
Fitzgerald received a posthumous promotion to Sergeant and was laid to rest on Feb. 24 in a public funeral service, held at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. Temple University has also offered to cover the costs of college tuition for Fitzgerald’s children, should they one day decide to attend the school, and raised more than $450,000 to benefit his immediate family.
For counts of survival, wrongful death, negligence, assault and battery, the plaintiffs are seeking, jointly and severally, damages in excess of $50,000, for compensatory damages, punitive damages and such other relief as this Court may deem just and proper.
The plaintiffs are represented by Joseph M. Marrone and Michael D. Pomerantz of Marrone Law, in Philadelphia.
The defendants have not yet obtained legal counsel.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 230600012
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com