Off-duty Philly cop who shot and killed uncle in Northampton County claims self-defense, court documents say
Kenroy Cummings, a two-year veteran of the force, shot the man six times in the head before fleeing police, according to the documents.
An off-duty Philadelphia police officer who authorities say shot and killed his uncle in Northampton County during the weekend contended he did so in self-defense, according to court documents.
Kenroy Anthony Cummings, 25, of Roxborough, was charged Saturday with homicide and fleeing law enforcement in Allen Township, where state police say he gunned down 27-year-old Shakair Moncrieffe before leading officers on a high-speed car chase ending with his surrender.
Cummings told troopers he had fired at Moncrieffe because he feared the man was reaching for his concealed firearm during a domestic confrontation, according to an affidavit of probable cause in his arrest.
Investigators say Cummings shot Moncrieffe six times in the head with a 9mm handgun during the confrontation at a residence on Old Gate Road.
Cummings is a two-year veteran of the force. He has an entry-level rank and serves on the Kensington detail, where he is paid a salary of $79,259, public records show.
Cpl. Jasmine Reilly, a police spokesperson, said Monday that the department’s internal affairs bureau has opened an inquiry into Cummings. She referred further questions to state police, who are overseeing the criminal investigation.
A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Police barracks in Bethlehem did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The conflict began Friday around 1:30 p.m., when Cummings confronted his uncle at the home after a young family member told the off-duty officer that Moncrieffe had verbally threatened him, according to court documents.
After Cummings entered the residence, other family members saw the two men begin to struggle, with Moncrieffe shoving Cummings as he tried to stand up, the documents said.
The young family member — a juvenile whom police did not identify — then approached Moncrieffe and punched him multiple times in the face, the documents said. He later told investigators that the escalation led Moncrieffe to “square up with him.”
That’s when Cummings drew his weapon and fired at Moncrieffe, striking him in the head, the documents said. Moncrieffe slumped to the floor, and Cummings shot him again in the head before fleeing the property.
Cummings was arrested that afternoon after leading troopers on a chase through the Lehigh Valley community, at points traveling more than 100 mph through residential areas as he evaded law enforcement in an orange 2023 Kia Forte, according to the documents.
The pursuit ended back at Moncrieffe’s home, where Cummings surrendered his firearm and was taken into custody without further resistance, authorities said.
He is being held in the Northampton County jail without bail and is set to appear before District Judge Jordan A. Knisley on Aug. 8.
Staff writer Ryan Briggs contributed to this article.
