SCRANTON, Pa. — A crowd of law enforcement officers gathered outside Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton on Tuesday as city Detective Kyle Gilmartin was transferred to a rehab facility near Philadelphia to continue his recovery from injuries in a gunfight in the city earlier this month.
Hailed as a "warrior," Detective Gilmartin was greeted by cheers and salutes from members of the department as he was wheeled to a waiting ambulance.
Gilmartin's exit from the hospital was a "moving" scene for the dozens of police and hospital staff who saw him off, Taylor Police Chief Brian Holland said.
"I think it's a stark reminder of the dangers law enforcement face every day," Holland said.
Blakely Police Chief Guy Salerno says the shooting shook the entire law enforcement community.
"Everyone that's in law enforcement or within the criminal justice system takes that as an attack on all of us."
When the word got out that Det. Gilmartin would be leaving the hospital on his next step to recovery, many police officers felt the need to be there.
"We have a sense of pride to know that we can all stick together when need be. We're not just individual organizations. We are together to back a brother when he needs that backing and that uplifted spirit," Salerno said.
Court paperwork shows that shots were fired near a home in the 300 block of Prospect Avenue and then again on Harrison Avenue in Scranton before midnight on Wednesday, January 10.
Then, around 4:30 a.m. Thursday, police found the Ford Fusion involved in both of the shots fired calls at the intersection of Swetland Street and North Main Avenue in the city's west side. Det. Gilmartin was shot near there moments later.
Aiden Deininger, 20, of Old Forge, was arraigned last week at Geisinger Community Medical Center, where he is recovering from a bullet wound that he suffered in an exchange of gunfire with police.
Det. Gilmartin was shot twice in the head by Deininger, according to a criminal complaint charging Deininger with a host of felonies.
Officers placed Gilmartin’s handcuffs on Deininger once he was arraigned, state police Major Michael Carroll said.
Among the charges, Deininger faces three counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer. In addition to Gilmartin, police said he shot at Detective Jason Hyler and Detective Sergeant Joseph Lafferty.
Gilmartin has been in the hospital in Scranton since the shooting. Gov. Josh Shapiro visited the detective last week.
Local organizations and businesses have organized dozens of fundraisers in the area to help Det. Gilmartin and his family.
Det. Gilmartin's family released a statement following his transfer Tuesday morning which can be found by clicking here.