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Armed suspect injured after shooting at police in KOP parking lot, following hit-and-run, officials say
A chaotic scene as shots are fired near a crowded King of Prussia Mall one week before Christmas. Upper Merion police say they shot an armed hit-and-run suspect following a chase in the parking lot of a popular restaurant.
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. - A Philadelphia man is facing serious charges after officials say he opened fire on a police officer near the King of Prussia Mall Sunday afternoon following a report of a hit-and-run crash.
Andrew Wiley, 27, has been charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, reckless endangerment and related charges in connection with the incident.
Officials in Montgomery County say the incident began when officers responded to a call for a hit-and-run crash in the area of the mall involving a red Nissan Juke.
An Upper Merion police officer on bike patrol was able to locate the Nissan parked in a mall parking garage. At that time, police say driver, later identified as Wiley, had been hiding in the backseat. When the officer approached, police say Wiley jumped back into the driver’s seat and attempted to flee the garage towards the Gulph Road exit.
Andrew Wiley, 27, is accused of opening fire on an Upper Merion police officer who was responding to a call for a hit-and-run near the King of Prussia Mall.
When Wiley and his vehicle became stuck in traffic, he drove over a four-foot-tall stone wall into the parking lot of Seasons 52 restaurant where the Nissan became disabled.
Authorities say dash camera video from a patrol car shows an officer exiting his vehicle and quickly moving to take cover after Wiley allegedly opened fire on the officer. The officer returned fire , striking Wiley in the thigh and ankle.
Wiley was taken into custody and taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.
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The Montgomery County District Attorney’s office says a 9mm ‘Glock-type’ firearm was recovered from Wiley’s possession. The gun did not have a serial number and appeared to be a ghost gun, according to the DA’s office.
Upper Merion Police Chief Thomas Nolan says several mall and restaurant patrons were in the parking lot at the time of the incident.
"You have the largest shopping mall by retail space in the country, the Sunday before Christmas – yes, it could’ve been very, very different. The actions of the officer in this case were heroic. It’s a miracle the officer was not injured and we don’t have a worse situation right now," Chief Nolan added.