Philly cop charged with attempted murder in son’s September shooting

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Philadelphia Deputy District Attorney Tariq El Shabazz and District Attorney Seth Williams discuss the shooting incident involving Officer Dorion Young. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

Philadelphia Deputy District Attorney Tariq El Shabazz and District Attorney Seth Williams discuss the shooting incident involving Officer Dorion Young. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

A Philadelphia police officer has now been charged with attempted murder in the September shooting of his son following an investigation. 

Officer Dorion Young was charged with shooting his son in his Northeast Philadelphia home on Labor Day after an argument over the use of the family car.

“Officer Young broke the door down and began to fight physically with his son,” said Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams Tuesday.

The son had retreated to his bedroom when Young shot the 19-year-old with a personal weapon during a struggle, Williams said. A second bullet bounced off the officer’s shoe.

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Williams said the son had to have his spleen removed and continues to recover from his injuries.

The 46-year-old Young is in custody and does not have a lawyer listed in court records.

Deputy District Attorney Tariq El Shabazz said the charges show no one is above the law.

“He’s not being prosecuted because he’s a police officer, he’s being prosecuted because he committed a crime, and he happens to have a job as a police officer,” El Shabazz said.

Young, a 25-year veteran of the department, has been suspended for 30 days with intent to dismiss.

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