Former Philly police officer surrenders to face murder charges in off-duty shooting death

Ex-officer surrenders in off-duty Philly killing

PHILADELPHIA — A former Philadelphia police officer has turned himself in to face murder charges in the shooting death of a neighbor during an off-duty altercation last year.

Forty-three-year-old Frank Tepper surrendered at police headquarters Tuesday in the Nov. 21 death of 21-year-old Billy Panas Jr. in the Port Richmond section of the city.

Defense attorney Fortunato Perri Jr. says his client looks forward to clearing his name. He says the evidence will show that Tepper was “being attacked and assaulted in front of his home” and reacted “the best way he knew how.”

Former District Attorney Lynne Abraham said last year that she was convening a grand jury in the case. But the city’s new top prosecutor said his office had determined that there was enough evidence to issue a warrant.