Standoff ends with suspected cop shooter in critical condition

A tense morning standoff in the city's Summerdale section ended with the suspect in critical condition after he accidentally shot himself in the neck, according to police.

Shots struck two SWAT team members this morning, as they tried to serve a warrant at 800 E. Sanger St., but the bullets were deflected by protective gear, according to Commissioner Charles Ramsey, who spoke with reporters at the scene.

Nearby houses and Fels High School were evacuated as the man barricaded himself in the basement, all before 6 a.m.

About 7:30 a.m., a man was brought out on a stretcher, and put in an ambulance that sped off to a hospital.

Ramsey soon confirmed he was believed to the subject of the warrant, 20-year-old Nasuil "Nas" Martinez, wanted for shooting a police officer about two weeks ago.

The suspect was in critical condition at Temple University Hospital, according to a police spokeswoman.

While in the basement on the phone with police, the suspect said, "Oh, it went off," as he apparently accidentally shot himself in the neck, Ramsey said at the scene.

Officers immediately entered and the suspect was brought out.

The neighors were soon permitted back at their houses, and Fels High students were expected to return this morning from Carnell Elementary School, where they were bused because of the incident.

A $10,000 reward was recently posted for the arrest of Martinez, of the 2800 block of North Lee Street, North Philadelphia. Half was put by the Fraternal Order of Police, half by the U.S. Marshal Service.

Martinez is believed to have shot Officer Kevin Gorman in the shoulder on Dec. 10 during a foot chase after a traffic stop. Gorman, 33, a three-year member of the force, was treated at Temple University Hospital and released within a few hours.

The two SWAT team members struck by bullets - one in the chest, one in a helmet - were taken to Einstein Hospital to be checked out.

Later, they wanted to return to the scene, Ramsey said.