Skerski murder suspect
takes a plea for life

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

The masked man who gunned down Philadelphia police Officer Gary Skerski during a May 2006 robbery at a Northwood pub pleaded guilty on Tuesday to first-degree murder and was immediately sentenced to life in state prison without the possibility of parole.
Solomon Montgomery, 25, who has been held at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility since shortly after his May 18, 2006, arrest, apologized to a tearful Anne Skerski, widow of the slain officer, and her family as well as the victim’s fellow police officers, who packed a Criminal Justice Center courtroom.
Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey Minehart sentenced Montgomery to an additional 205 to 410 years, on top of the life sentence.
"This is a horrific, horrific act. This was an act of an urban terrorist. This is a crime that shocked everyone in Philadelphia," the judge said.
Of Skerski, a Port Richmond native, Minehart said, "Philadelphia has lost a true hero who cannot be replaced."
Montgomery also pleaded guilty to attempted murder, 14 counts of robbery, five counts of aggravated assault and weapons offenses. In exchange, the prosecution agreed not to seek the death penalty. Sources close to the case have said that Skerski’s family consented to the plea agreement. The plea spared the Skerski family from a potentially lengthy trial and appeals process.
"That was a decision made by the family and the district attorney’s office," Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson said of the plea deal. "If they’re happy with it, so am I."
Representatives of the Skerski family declined public comment.
Montgomery, who wore a shaved head, long beard, black rimmed glasses and a black suit for the hearing, directed his pre-sentence statement at Skerski’s family and friends.
"If I could bring back your husband, son, father and friend, Officer Gary Skerski, I would," Montgomery said. "I realize I’ve caused much pain to this family and much pain to mine. I’m sorry and this family is in my prayers."
A group of the defendant’s relatives also attended the hearing.
Public defender Dan Stevenson said after the hearing that Montgomery’s difficult childhood and drug use led him on the path to committing the crime.
The defendant, a one-time North Philadelphia resident who was wanted in California on weapons charges, fatally shot Skerski on May 8, 2006, as the officer responded to reports of a robbery in progress at Pat’s Cafe, 4690 Castor Ave., shortly after 10 p.m.
About 10 minutes before Skerski’s arrival, the masked Montgomery had burst into the taproom, brandishing a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun and a handgun.
Montgomery announced a holdup by stating "This ain’t Halloween (expletive)," then ordered the 13 patrons and lone barmaid to empty their valuables into a Modell’s satchel, Assistant District Attorney Jude Conroy told the court.
Montgomery also forced patrons to withdrawal cash from an ATM and stole bar proceeds. He told the robbery victims he was "on the run" and threatened to "kill anyone" who got in his way, Conroy added.
One of the patrons secretly called 911 on a mobile phone. Skerski, of the 15th Police District, and his partner, Officer William Alexander, were first on the scene. Alexander stayed near the front door, while Skerski went to a side entrance.
Witnesses told investigators that Montgomery waited at the side door with shotgun drawn. When the robber pulled the side door ajar, Skerski tried to enter the bar, but Montgomery fired a single shell that wounded the officer in the neck and head, above the protective vest that he wore.
Montgomery fled out the side door toward a getaway car and fired four more rounds at Alexander, who was not wounded.
Backup officers, including Skerski’s squad mate and close friend Charles Calter, rushed Skerski to Temple University Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. Skerski died at midnight. No civilians were injured during the robbery.
"We got him into the (police) vehicle and tried to talk to him, but he was hurt so bad," Calter testified during the sentencing.
Like many, Calter has felt a great personal loss because of Skerski’s death.
"Any problem that I had personally or on the job, I would talk to Gary," Calter said. "Gary was a little older than me and a lot wiser. Just knowing the guy made me a better cop, a better father and a better husband."
In the days after the Monday-night slaying, the police department released a videotape of the robbery and shooting recorded by surveillance equipment inside the bar. The tape showed the suspect wearing a tri-colored State Property jacket and a Yankees baseball cap. The video helped homicide detectives generate several leads in the manhunt.
Relatives of Montgomery’s recognized him as the suspect in the video and confronted him about the shooting. Montgomery confessed the crime to them. The relatives notified police. With help from additional tips, investigators tracked the suspect to the Manor Court Apartments, at 5600 Ogontz Ave., where he was staying at his sister’s home.
Homicide detectives spotted Montgomery exiting the building and getting into a stolen Volvo. Seeing the onrushing officers, Montgomery sped away briefly on Ogontz Avenue, almost striking at least one officer. Montgomery then collided with an unmarked police car occupied by two more detectives.
Montgomery exited the Volvo, ran a short distance, then tried to hide in some bushes. When the suspect appeared to reach for a gun, Detective Gregory Pinto shot him. Officers found two guns in Montgomery’s pockets.
Investigators also linked Montgomery to the crime through physical evidence. They say they found his DNA on the shell that contained the fatal shotgun round. Detectives recovered the shell at the crime scene. While incarcerated, Montgomery confessed to shooting Skerski, Conroy said.
Skerski was the 272nd Philadelphia police officer killed in the line of duty since the creation of the city’s police department in the 1850s. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com