Published April 30th, 2023
Two Philadelphia, Pennsylvania police officers were shot early Sunday morning. At approximately 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon, Philadelphia officers were called to respond to a residence for a report of a man with a gun who was threatening family members in the home. On arrival, as the officers entered the residence they heard a gunshot, at which point they left the home and established a perimeter. A hostage negotiator and SWAT team responded to the scene and began a negotiation with the suspect that lasted 9 hours. During the negotiation, it was determined that the 65-year-old male suspect was wanted on an outstanding bench warrant. After the suspect stopped communicating with police for several hours, SWAT team members entered the home early Sunday morning. The suspect fired a shotgun through a door at officers, striking two officers in their ballistic-resistant vests and a third officer in his ballistic-resistant shield. In the exchange of gunfire, the suspect was wounded in the upper chest and shoulder and taken into custody by police.
Medical aid was summoned and administered to the suspect shot by police. The suspect and the two officers shot in the vest were transported to a nearby hospital, where the officers were treated and released. Philadelphia Police First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford stated “They were saved by their vest. They return[ed] fire, striking the male and he was transported to the hospital." The suspect was later released from the hospital and taken into custody, where he is facing multiple charges, including seven counts of assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, endangering a family member, and related offenses. The investigation into the officer-involved shooting is ongoing.
