November 22, 2016
A Philadelphia police officer is facing charges after shooting his teenage son over an argument about the family car, the Philadelphia District Attorney's office said Tuesday.
Dorion Young, 46 of Northeast Philadelphia, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of crime in the Sept. 5 incident. He is a 25-year veteran of the department.
Authorities said the off-duty officer was in his house with his two sons and his oldest son's girlfriend when they began to argue over the oldest son's use of the family car. The officer, who the district attorney's office said felt disrespected by his son, allegedly began waving a loaded .40 caliber pistol in the air and yelled, "your my son and you aren't going to keep disrespecting me."
A fight between father and older son ensued and Young's son locked himself in his room. Young allegedly broke the door down, and then fired his gun twice. One shot hit his son in the back. He was taken to Aria Hospital for treatment, officials said.
“If you are a Philadelphia police officer, elected official or private citizen; you cannot use your gun to try to end an argument," said District Attorney Seth Williams in a statement. "And if you do, as I have said many times before, no matter your career or station in life, you will be charged fairly and to the fullest extent of the law for such a dangerous act."
Young has been suspended from the department for 30 days with intent to dismiss.
