Bullet removed from trooper's shoulder

The Pennsylvania State Police trooper who was shot on the Vine Street Expressway is recovering after the bullet was removed from his shoulder nearly two weeks after he was wounded.

Police said doctors at Hahnemann University Hospital performed the surgery on Trooper Patrick Casey on Monday.

Casey, 31, was shot in the left shoulder after a wild chase with a 17-year-old suspect on Nov. 24 that ended with the pair exchanging gunfire on the busy highway.

The suspect, Giovanni Cotto, took off after a routine traffic stop on Interstate 76, leading troopers on a pursuit to the Vine Street Expressway, according to police.

Cotto, who faces charges that include attempted murder, is accused of firing at Casey, crashing his car into a school bus, causing both vehicles to burst into flames, then shooting at the trooper again. He was apprehended after a brief foot chase.

State police took the bullet as evidence and Casey returned home Monday after the slug was removed.