Last run-in with law is fatal one for gunman

Damont Reeves had his last confrontation with the law yesterday. He pointed a .38-caliber at an undercover cop during a robbery.

He was from South Philadelphia, 24 years old, his life filled with arrests and jail time and finally punctuated by a hail of bullets at a neighborhood convenience store.

His final five seconds were captured for all time - in bright color - by numerous surveillance cameras throughout the store. It was the fourth robbery there in recent weeks.

Based on the video and police interviews, Reeves entered the 7-Eleven at South 23d Street and West Passyunk Avenue shortly after 1 a.m. His face was partly concealed by his black hoodie. Two women on their way out scurried past him as he pulled his handgun from his waistband.

He pointed the gun, with six live rounds, at a man waiting to pay for water and ordered him to back away.

The customer was an 11-year veteran undercover narcotics officer who backed into a nearby aisle and pulled his 9mm Glock.

At the same time, the clerk quickly put the cash tray on the counter. Reeves shoved bills in his pocket with his left hand. With his right hand, he leveled the gun at the clerk.

The narcotics officer emerged, announced that he was a cop, and fired seven shots, hitting Reeves numerous times. Reeves fled, leaving a trail of blood, his gun and the $78 that he got before he collapsed in the 2200 block of Winton Street.

He was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was pronounced dead at 1:52 a.m.

Two decades ago, Vincent Emmanuel opened the store on the busy corridor just off Interstate 76. It sits just around the corner from the First Police District headquarters and South Detectives at 24th and Wolf Streets.

The store has been robbed many times. No one has ever gotten away, Emmanuel said.

"The police take it personally when there is a robbery here," he said. "We have a very good relationship with the police, and there's just about always a cop in the store."

Yesterday was not the first time a cop and robber crossed paths there, Emmanuel said. Still, he said he paid thousands for a sophisticated surveillance system that constantly films every corner of the store.

Clerks, he said, are told to cooperate.

"My employees are like family to me. I consider them my family, and I have to protect them," Emmanuel said. "Merchandise and money can always be replaced. They cannot."

Four weeks ago, a robber held up a clerk at knifepoint. He was arrested after a store employee said she recognized the robber, who she said had worked with her at a fast-food restaurant.

The next robber was arrested after customers identified him on the surveillance tapes.

Last week, a clerk was robbed again, but the gunman fled.

"We kind of knew he was going to hit us again," Emmanuel said.

And he did - at 1 a.m. yesterday.

"As soon as he walked in the store, the clerk recognized him and knew what was happening," Emmanuel said.

After sliding the cash drawer across the counter, the clerk ducked as the officer began firing at the gunman. Reeves never had a chance to shoot back, police said.

At 18, Reeves was arrested on robbery and related offenses. He pleaded guilty to possession of an instrument of crime and was sentenced to serve three years. In 2005, he pleaded guilty to drug charges. He also faced theft charges that were withdrawn.

Emmanuel shook his head as he talked about a changing neighborhood culture in which drugs, guns and robberies have become far too prevalent.

"He lost his life," Emmanuel said, "over $78."