Published March 21st, 2025
Police officers responded to a call of a male suspect having a “mental health crisis” around 12:45pm on March 21. Officers arrived at the 5000 block of Torresdale Avenue to find the male suspect running through traffic naked. When the officers approached the subject, the subject agreed to be voluntarily committed for evaluation. The subject was placed in the back of a police wagon uncuffed due to volunteering to go for care at Friends Hospital. Once the officers and subject arrived at the hospital, the subject attacked the officers. Officers attempted to tase the subject but were unsuccessful. Officers and the subject wrestled on the ground, that’s when the subject was able to get ahold of one of the officers’ guns. The other officer and the subject exchanged fire. One of the officers was shot an inch from the bottom of his bullet proof vest.
The subject was identified as 36-year-old Aaron Rainey who was transported to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The injured officer was not named, only described as a 30-year-old officer who has been with the department for 6 years. The officer who exchanged fire with the subject is mentioned as a 37-year-old officer who has been with the department for 10 years. The investigation is still ongoing.
