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Good Samaritan shot confronting burglar in North Philadelphia: police

By and FOX 29 Staff
Updated  August 21, 2024 9:22am EDT
Philadelphia
FOX 29 Philadelphia

Good Samaritan shot confronting burglar in North Philly

Police say it all began when a man was caught breaking into the window of a home on the 2000 block of North Bodine Street around 4 a.m.

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - An act of bravery ended with an innocent man being shot by a burglar in North Philadelphia early Wednesday morning.

Police say it all began when a man was caught breaking into the window of a home on the 2000 block of North Bodine Street around 4 a.m.

When neighbors confronted the suspect, officials say he opened fire.

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A 56-year-old man was struck in the stomach and taken to a local hospital in critical condition.

Philadelphia shootings leave 6 people injured in less than 2 hours

Three separate shootings led to another night of violence in Philadelphia that has left six people injured, including two teenagers.

The suspect fled the scene, and has yet to be taken into custody.

Family members identified the victim as Ruben Ramos, 56. They say he had to go into surgery this morning.

His older brother spoke with FOX 29.

"When he found out about this, he went out there with a machete to stop the person, but I guess the person had a gun," says Nelson Ramos. "If it were not for Ruben, he would not be here."

The man who owns the home where the attempted break-in happened asked that FOX 29 protect his identity. In Spanish, he says he slept through the ordeal until police arrived, and that if Ramos had not jumped in, he might not be here.

Neighbors say the tight-knit block looks out for one another, and they are not surprised Ramos jumped in to help.

"Thoughts and prayers for Ruben, he’s a strong guy, I think he’ll make it," says Valerie Banks, who has lived on the block for 24 years. "I’m calling on a police presence on our block for a bit. We don’t know if these people are coming back."

An investigation is underway.

The shooting was one of three that erupted in Philadelphia in less than 2 hours on Wednesday, leaving six people injured.

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Click here to find resources for victims of violence in Philadelphia.