Cop shoots brick-wielding assailant

A man who flailed at a police officer with a brick was shot and wounded this morning when he turned on the officer's partner in Southwest Philadelphia, authorities said.

The assailant was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for treatment of non life threatening gunshot wounds to his arms, police said.

The officer who was beaten by a brick also was treated for arm lacerations at the hospital, said Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey.

He said the shooting occurred after the officers stopped to quell a disturbance on the 1800 block of S. 57th Street about 5:30 a.m.

The assailant, who is expected to be charged, attacked the injured officer with a brick and then turned on his partner, who opened fire, the commissioner said.

As in all shootings involving police, the Internal Affairs Unit will investigate the incident.