July 14, 2015
A 25-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department was arrested Tuesday and charged with attempting to spread false media reports claiming his wife was connected to him being shot in March 2014.
Officer Robert Penn, who has been suspended with the intention to dismiss, was shot upon arriving at his home in West Philadelphia. Penn was off-duty when the shooting occurred.
According to police, Penn asked Charles Mays, brother of his ex-wife, to anonymously call local news outlets and imply that his current wife was involved with the shooting.
The District Attorney's Office issued arrest warrants for Penn and Mays after an investigation was carried out by the Philadelphia Police Department. Penn surrendered to the department after the warrant was issued.
Penn, 48, is charged with criminal solicitation/false reports, criminal conspiracy and obstructing the administration of law.
Local media reports of the shooting did not make mention of Penn's wife as having any possible connection when the incident occurred.
The investigation into who shot Penn is still underway, according to NBC Philadelphia.
