PHILADELPHIA (October 8, 2025)—Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and members of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Major Trials Unit announced on Wednesday that Michael McHugh (DOB 11/13/82) was found guilty following a waiver trial for opening fire on a Philadelphia Police Officer in December 2023. McHugh was convicted of Aggravated Assault (F2) and VUFA 6105 (M1) by Judge Nicholas Kamau on September 22, 2025.
On the evening of December 31, 2023, Philadelphia police responded to a report of an individual with a firearm at a rooming house located on the 1300 block of North Dover Street in the city’s Brewerytown section. Responding officers located a tenant who told them that a man had been discharging a firearm in a room upstairs.
One officer entered the house and walked to the second floor to investigate. After the officer reached the second floor landing, the defendant swung open the door to his room while holding a firearm. The officer drew his own firearm and ordered McHugh to drop the weapon. The defendant did not comply and slammed the door closed.
Fearing for his safety, the officer decided to exit the rooming house. While jumping down the flight of stairs, the officer’s body-worn camera fell to the floor. A moment later, the device captured the defendant discharging his firearm, followed by a second shot. A Philadelphia Police SWAT team was summoned to the scene and McHugh subsequently barricaded himself inside the rooming house, but was later arrested.
Investigators recovered multiple fired cartridge casings inside the defendant’s room and located bullet holes consistent with the trajectories of the shots fired at the officer.
McHugh is scheduled for sentencing in November.
“Thanks to Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Greschler of our office’s Major Trials Unit for successfully prosecuting this case and to the judge for his ruling in this case,” said District Attorney Krasner. “This defendant’s reckless behavior endangered the lives of courageous Philadelphia police and residents.”
“I’m grateful to Judge Kamau for finding Mr. McHugh guilty and pleased that this defendant is being held accountable for his disregard for the safety of police and his neighbors,” said Assistant District Attorney Greschler.
CONTACT:
Dustin Slaughter, [email protected]
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.