Off-duty police officer killed in early morning shooting in Southwest Philly
Another person is in critical condition after a shooting outside a hookah lounge.
An off-duty Philadelphia police officer died after being shot early Sunday morning in Southwest Philadelphia. Another person remains in critical condition following the shooting.
A police lieutenant on scene at Elmwood Avenue and South 73rd Streets confirmed that the off-duty officer was pronounced dead around 8 a.m.
The lieutenant said detectives are working to obtain footage from security cameras on the street, which will provide more insights into the shooting.
TV news reports showed a significant police presence in the city’s Eastwick section in the pre-dawn hours Sunday.
Police told reporters at the scene that someone flagged down an officer, who found two gunshot wound victims outside a hookah lounge near the intersection.
The off-duty police officer was shot more than once and had not fired his weapon, police told reporters. He was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
“We continue to ask the community for their prayers, we continue to pray for his family,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel told media outside Penn Presbyterian.
Another person, believed to have been shot once, is also in critical condition, police told reporters. No suspect is in custody.
Bethel said anyone with information should call 215-686-TIPS.
This is a developing story. Check back for more details.