According to witness reports, Tepper jumped into a dispute involving one of his relatives.
He allegedly shot William Panas, who according to witnesses, was not directly involved in the dispute.
Tepper’s lawyer, Fortunato Perri, says Tepper shot in self-defense. “We expect that the evidence will show that Officer Tepper was being assaulted and attacked by several individuals outside his home, which caused him to react to the situation the way he did.”
PHILADELPHIA. For nearly three months, William Panas Sr. has been on a crusade to get his son’s alleged killer brought to justice. Yesterday, he got the news that some families are still waiting for years later: The cop allegedly responsible for the shooting was being charged with murder.
“Today’s probably the first day we’ve smiled in three months,” Panas said in his Port Richmond home. “It’s a bittersweet day.”
Former Civil Affairs Sgt. Frank Tepper allegedly shot William Panas Jr., 21, in November while off duty after a neighborhood brawl outside Tepper's house. Witnesses claim Tepper shot in cold blood — firing into the unarmed man’s chest after Panas told him “you’re not going to shoot me” — but his lawyer claims it was self-defense. He was expected to surrender by this morning.
“We concluded that there was sufficient evidence at this point to issue a warrant,” said District Attorney Seth Williams in dispensing with the grand jury his predecessor Lynne Abraham had asked to review the case.
Police brass and the head of the Police Advisory Commission called Williams’ decision “a good sign” toward expediting police involved incidents.
“He’s going to independently review them, determine what criminality might be connected to these incidents and prosecute officers where necessary,” said PAC director William Johnson. “I think you're seeing a complete change in perspective.”