Holly MatkinPhiladelphia, PA – The son of a veteran Philadelphia police officer was murdered outside a store early Monday morning in what police said may have been a targeted attack.
Hyram Hill, 23, worked as a bouncer and is the son of Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) Officer Edweena Ferguson, a 17-year department veteran, KYW reported.
Investigators said they believe two gunmen followed Hill from his workplace to a corner store at Allegheny Avenue and Broad Street at approximately 4:40 a.m. on Jan. 24, according to KYW.
The masked suspects then converged on Hill, who was carrying a legally-registered firearm, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Hill drew his weapon and apparently ejected a live round from the gun at some point during the confrontation, according to police.
Investigators said they found the unspent round at the scene.
The gunmen ultimately shot Hill nine times, KYW reported.
Eight of those rounds struck him in his back, according to police.
Detectives said they believe the suspects went through Hill’s pockets and stole his handgun, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
“It could be a robbery, but it could also be a targeted attack,” PPD Homicide Captain Jason Smith told reporters. “I can’t get into why we believe that.”
The gunmen may have fled the scene in a Chevrolet Malibu, according to Capt. Smith.
A $30,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Hill’s killers.
“Somebody has information on this case that can lead to an arrest in the homicide of Hyram Hill,” Fraternal Order of Police President John McNesby told The Philadelphia Inquirer. “Enough is enough in Philadelphia. We have too many guns and violent offenders on our streets.”
Hill’s mother, Officer Ferguson, spoke about her son at a press conference on Tuesday.
“I wear the face of many parents in the city,” she told reporters. “Even being a police officer, my son was not exempt.”
“My son did not have a record, my son has never been arrested, my son had a license to carry and a legal firearm,” she added, according to KYW. “My son was not exempt.”
“I was proud of everything my son did. Every move he made, I told him you take 10 steps, I’m a take 50 for you.” Mom of Hyram Hill, who’s also a Philly Police officer, talks about the shooting death of her son. He has a daughter on the way. @NBCPhiladelphia at 11pm pic.twitter.com/VCT1bwQ1mf
— Aaron Baskerville (@ABaskerville10) January 26, 2022
The West Catholic High School graduate was two semesters shy of obtaining his bachelor’s degree from Cheyney University, where he was studying early education, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Hill was anxiously awaiting the birth of his first child – a little girl – who is due to arrive in two months, according to KYW.
He also worked full-time as a mentor for troubled youth in New Castle, Delaware.
“I was proud of everything my son did,” Officer Ferguson said. “Every move he made, I told him you take two steps, I’m going to take 50 for you.”
Hyram Hill lost his life on the streets of Philadelphia. He’s the son of a Philly officer. The search for the 23-year old’s killer, tonight on @NBCPhiladelphia at 11pm pic.twitter.com/P2Zxy4WsF9
— Aaron Baskerville (@ABaskerville10) January 25, 2022
Officer Ferguson said she was five years old when her own father was incarcerated, KYW reported.
She gave birth to Hill when she was 15, then put herself through college and became a police officer in an effort to give her son a chance at a better life.
Senior Lineman Tymir Oliver, Charles Trabi, and Hyram Hill pic.twitter.com/IpzMdGaeTG
— West Catholic (@WCPrepFootball) August 26, 2015
Officer Ferguson begged members of the community to “stand down” and to let her fellow officers locate the men responsible for murdering her son, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
“I work for a team of the best homicide detectives here in the city of Philadelphia. They’re the best in the world,” she told reporters.
“Let them do their job. Everybody stand down. Please…Let my job do their job,” she continued, according to WCAU. “It’s me, Edweena asking you. Not Officer Ferguson. It’s me, his mother…Stand down. I’m begging you.”
