Prosecutors to seek death penalty in officer’s slaying

Prosecutors will be seeking the death penalty against two men charged in the shooting death of a Philadelphia police officer during a robbery inside a video game store.

The announcement came Wednesday during the formal arraignment of 29-year-old Carlton Hipps and 30-year-old Ramone Wilson.

They are charged with murder, weapons offenses and armed robbery in the March 5 slaying of Officer Robert Wilson III at the Game Stop in north Philadelphia.

Officials have said that Wilson was doing a security check and buying a gift for his older son’s 10th birthday when the robbery began.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Dozens of shots were fired during the ensuring shootout, and authorities said the officer was struck six times.

Prosecutors have said they believe the two half-brothers share responsibility for his death.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal