Officer's attacker wounded in S.W. Phila.

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

The assailant, 46-year-old David Beard, was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to be treated for gunshot wounds to his arms, police said. They said the wounds were not life-threatening.

The officer attacked with the block was treated for arm lacerations at the hospital, said Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey. The officer also may have a fractured arm, said Lt. Frank Vanore.

Police said the shooting occurred after the officers stopped around 5:30 a.m. to quell a disturbance on the 1800 block of South 57th Street, where Beard lives.

Beard attacked one officer with a cinder block and then turned on his partner, who opened fire, the commissioner said.

Beard is expected to be charged with assault on a police officer and related offenses, Vanore said. Beard has a history of convictions for burglary and drug charges.

As in all shootings involving police, the Internal Affairs unit will investigate the confrontation.