Newsbreak: Philadelphia Police Officer Shot in Line of Duty During Routine Traffic Stop

Philadelphia was left stunned after a police officer was shot in the line of duty on Wednesday, February 8^th, 2023. According to a report by Fox News on February 9, 2023, the incident took place during a routine traffic stop at 60^th and Market streets. Officer Giovanni Maysonet, a 5-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, and his partner pulled over a 1999 Lexus. Officer Maysonet approached the passenger side of the car while his partner approached the driver’s door. However, things took a turn for the worse when the suspect, Eric Haynes, 43, of Darby, got out of the vehicle and fired two shots, hitting Officer Maysonet.

Despite being shot, Officer Maysonet’s bulletproof vest protected him, and he was only injured in the chest and abdomen. Haynes fled the scene, but he was later found and taken into custody. A loaded semi-automatic 9mm firearm was discovered near the driver’s door of his car. Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw expressed relief that the officer was not killed but also anger and frustration at the incident. Mayor Jim Kenney also spoke about the difficult and dangerous job of police officers and expressed his prayers for Officer Maysonet’s recovery.

Haynes has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and assault of a law enforcement officer, among other charges. Officer Maysonet’s partner reportedly shot at Haynes several times, but he was not hit. The shooting took place at around 3:30 PM on Wednesday, and Officer Maysonet was treated for his injuries at Presbyterian Hospital.