Philly man who bought gun used in slaying of suburban cop arrested

A Philadelphia man who bought the gun used to kill a Plymouth Township police officer was arrested Wednesday.

Michael Henry is charged with “straw-purchasing” firearms — including the Beretta 9mm semi-automatic handgun that fatally wounded Officer Bradley Fox last month.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said just after the officer’s murder, investigators got to work.

“Tracing back that weapon, we found that it was registered to the individual Michael Henry,” she said. “He had purchased over a period of several months nine other firearms in total between April and July of 2012.  He purchased seven handguns and two rifles at two different gun shops — one in Montgomery, one in Chester County and gave all of these weapons to the felon that later took Officer Fox’s life.”

Fox was shot and killed by Andrew Thomas as the officer pursued Thomas following a traffic incident.  After shooting Fox, Thomas turned the gun on himself and committed suicide.