Knife-Wielding Man Hit With Taser 3 Times Before Shooting: Police

Philadelphia PA

14 December, 2020

3:40 PM

Description

PHILADELPHIA — Police in Philadelphia said a man armed with a knife who was shot last week by officers was hit with a taser several times before he was shot. According to Philadelphia Police, Jose Cerda is in critical condition and facing multiple charges following an incident last week on the 4700 block of Rorer Street. The incident unfolded at about 10:54 a.m. when Officer Gerald Murphy and another officer, who has not been identified, were called to the area for a report of a man armed with a knife. The officers found Cerda, 50, armed with a knife at the top of a set of stairs, and Cerda then approached the officers. They backed away and ordered him to drop the 10-inch knife. Murphy, who didn't have a taser pulled out his firearm, and the other officer pulled out his taser. Police said Cerda refused to drop the knife and kept advancing toward the officers, which led the unnamed officer to fire the taser at Cerda. The taser had no effect, police said, and Cerda continued toward Murphy, who is a three-year veteran of the force. Two other officers, one armed with a taser, arrived and one fired his taser at Cerda again with no effect, police said. Cerda kept coming toward Murphy, which led another officer to fire his taser at Cerda a third time, and again Cerda was unaffected by the less-than-lethal weapon, police said. Murphy fired his gun twice, not striking Cerda, but Cerda kept advancing which led Murphy to fire one shot into Cerda's chest, police said. According to police, Cerda chased Murphy 225 feet and was told to drop the knife about 13 times before he was shot. Cerda is being charged with assault of a law enforcement officer, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.