Man briefly exchanges gunfire with police before surrendering in Philadelphia barricade
FOX CHASE - Authorities say a man surrendered to police following an hours long barricade situation in Philadelphia that included a brief exchange of gunfire.
Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to a property on the 700 block of Emerson Street around 3:30 p.m. for reports of a man having a mental health crisis.
The man refused to leave his home and police declared a barricade shortly after 4 p.m. Sargent Eric Gripp told reporters they quickly evacuated most neighbors and closed the street.
Hours later, police say the man opened fire on officers that had gathered outside the property which prompted return fire from a SWAT Team member. No one was injured in the brief firefight.
Police worked with the man's family to convince him to surrender nearly seven hours after the barricade was first declared. He was taken into custody without incident, police said.
"We're very fortunate," Gripp said. "This is twice in 24-hours our officers have come under fire, so we're very fortunate that this had a peaceful resolution."