Cop charged with killing an in-law

The District Attorney's Office charged an off-duty Philadelphia police officer with murder Monday for the shooting of his unarmed brother-in-law.

Officer Rudolph Gary also wounded two bystanders when he opened fire Sunday night, prosecutors said. Gary, 26, will face charges for those shootings as well.

Witnesses said Gary shot his brother-in-law, Howard Williams, then stood over his body and fired several more shots.

"He's already down. Why do you stand over him and keep shooting?" asked the victim's mother, Diane Williams. "He wanted to kill him."

Gary had gone to the 1800 block of Hoffman Street Sunday night to pick up his son from his estranged wife, Shanae Williams.

Gary's girlfriend got into a confrontation after being splashed with water, according to members of the Williams family. During the ensuing scuffle, Gary retrieved his gun and shot Williams, relatives said.

Williams, 22, was pronounced dead at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania shortly after the 6:30 p.m. shooting.

"They took my son for no reason," Diane Williams said. "It wasn't right. It didn't make sense."

Gary also shot a 26-year-old woman in the leg, and grazed an 18-year-old man. Both were treated at HUP, said Lt. Frank Vanore, a police spokesman.

Williams family members said the other victims were not related and described them as innocent bystanders.

Eunice Simpkins, who identified herself as the street assistant block captain, said she was returning from the store when she heard people shout, "Howard! . . . He's not moving, he's not moving."

Simpkins called him "my Howie," and said he helped her and others in the area.

"It was senseless," Simpkins said. "I don't know why this man did this."