Man shot by police after firing multiple times at officers in North Philadelphia, police say
Man shot by police after firing multiple times at officers in North Philadelphia, police say
No officers were injured when investigators say a man sitting inside his car opened fire on a police cruiser as it drove down a Philadelphia street. Four officers returned fire and non-fatally shot the man, who police believe is connected to another shooting in a nearby township.
PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say a man was shot by police after he fired several times at officers Friday night in North Philadelphia.
Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said officers were driving down the 3300 block of North 10th street just before 6 p.m. when they were fired upon by a man sitting in his car.
After police radioed for backup and established a perimeter, Outlaw said the shooter - a man estimated to be in his 50s - exited his car and continued firing at police.
Authorities say four officers returned fire, grazing the man in the head. He was brought to Temple University Hospital and placed in stable condition, according to police.
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No officers were struck by gunfire, but police say a cruiser was struck twice.
"These officers were literally just driving up the street when he decided to start shooting at the officers and hit the officer's vehicle," Outlaw said.
Outlaw told reporters they believe the unidentified shooter is "associated with a crime in a neighboring township."
It's believed the suspect is connected to a shooting at a FedEx distribution center that happened hours earlier in nearby Tinicum Township.
A massive police presence responded after investigators say a man in a car opened fire on police officers. No officers were injured and the man was non-fatally shot by police.
"We are shocked and saddened by this senseless act of violence," a statement from FedEx read in part. "Our heartfelt thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this tragic event."
Investigators working to learn what the man was doing in the neighborhood and he opened fire on the officers.
"This is beyond lucky," Outlaw said of the officers who escaped gunfire unharmed. "The officers were beyond brave, they were beyond courageous."
Meanwhile, residents who spoke to FOX 29 about the shooting were left shaken by a situation that could have been much worse.
"These cops come out here and they serve us, they protect us and they have families, they have children and grandchildren, they need to go home to," Ana Watson said.