Two suspects sought in holdup that left robber dead

Police are still searching for two suspects in an attempted robbery during which a retired Philadelphia police officer working as a pizza deliveryman shot and killed another teenage suspect, police said yesterday.

The District Attorney's Office is also reviewing the case and will determine whether to press charges against the shooter.

"At this point," said Lt. Frank Vanore, a police spokesman, "no one in this incident has been charged."

Police said that about 1:15 a.m. Sunday, the former officer was delivering a pizza on the 5300 block of Lesher Street, near Bridge Street in Frankford, when he was approached by several teens. One of them, a 14-year-old boy, pointed what appeared to be a handgun at him and demanded money. Two other suspects came up behind and searched the former police officer's pockets.

The former officer pulled out a semiautomatic Glock and fired two shots, one of which struck the teen holding the gun in the chest, police said. The teen was pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital at 2:14 a.m., police said. The two other assailants fled.

The names of the former officer, who police said was licensed to carry a gun, and the slain teen are being held pending further investigation, police said.