3 Philadelphia police officers stable after being shot late Saturday, alleged shooter dead
The shooting happened about 10:30 p.m. near North 54th and Arlington Streets in West Philly, police and city officials said.
Three Philadelphia police officers were injured and the alleged gunman was killed late Saturday during a shooting in the city’s Wynnefield section, police and city officials said.
Police responded to reports of gunfire at a car near North 54th and Arlington Streets in the West Philadelphia neighborhood about 10:30 p.m., Commissioner Kevin Bethel said at a news conference early Sunday.
A 57-year-old man, who police did not name, “engaged” with the officers and was repeatedly told to “stand down,” the commissioner said. When officers tried to arrest the man about 10:45 p.m., he drew a weapon and opened fire, Bethel said.
Four officers discharged their weapons. Three, including a sergeant, were injured and taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. One officer was shot in the face, one in the hip, and another in the leg, according to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. They were all reportedly stable.
The alleged shooter was pronounced dead just after 11 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Bethel noted the alleged shooter was not involved in the initial incident for which police were called.
“Why he elected to come into that scene and engage the officers — whether this was premeditated — we will walk through this process to see," Bethel said. “But you don’t come to a situation like that ... to engage the officer. We all can start to think of what potentially his intended purpose was.”
The officers, 43 and 30, have been with the department for two and eight years, respectively. The sergeant, whose age wasn’t given, has been with Philadelphia police for eight years, according to Bethel. They were not immediately identified.
“These men and women give their lives for this work,” Bethel said. The mayor also commended the officers’ resiliency and resolve. “We’re just grateful that tonight, they will survive their injuries.”
No additional details were immediately available, and the investigation is ongoing.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Night editor Joe Berkery contributed to this article.