Man shot with AK-47 in Cobbs Creek; suspect sought

Police are asking for the public's help locating a suspect wanted in connection with a shooting incident that took place on Saturday.

Everyone on the 300 block of South 54th Street knows store owner Mike Poeng who was gunned down by a suspect with an AK-47 Saturday afternoon.

"He's a good guy. We miss him and I hope he gets well," one neighbor told FOX 29 Tuesday night.

"I think that's messed up," another neighbor added.

Poeng was washing his white Lexus SUV outside his store around 1:30 p.m. when his own surveillance cameras caught the suspect calmly walking up carrying an AK-47 assault rifle.

"Guy tries to force him into the store. He starts struggling. He sprays him with the hose. He steps back and fires that gun at close range," Southwest Detectives Lt .John Walker explained.

"He's hanging in there--still with us--still fighting," Poeng's brother told FOX 29 Tuesday night via phone.

Poeng's brother says he was bravely trying to safeguard his wife and three kids who were inside the store during the shooting.

"My brother tried to protect his three children," Thai Peong said.

The 51-year-old store owner was shot in the hip, the bullet striking his femoral artery. Police raced him to the Penn Presbyterian Trauma Unit. He remains in critical condition with his family by his side.

"I just don't understand why a person could carry an AK-47 walking the street," the victim's brother added.

"He's a good guy. Everybody says he's pleasant with everybody and it's a bad thing that happened," local store owner Chris Marte told FOX 29.

Marte owns the store just across the street. The shooting shook him up and has him worried about a gunman on the loose in his neighborhood with a high powered AK-47.

"Everybody scared cause you know nothing like that ever happen here before with an AK-47, too. Yeah, that kind of weapon what can we do," Marte said.

"Not only is he in front of his business, but in front of his wife gets shot," Lt. Walker said.

"Whoever the person is who did it please give up so other people don't get hurt," Poeng's brother said.

The victim has already undergone three surgeries. His brother says he's a fighter and he's praying his brother pulls through. Police believe the gunman is from the neighborhood and they're checking surveillance video to see if he was in the store in the days or hours before the shooting.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting incident is urged to contact Southwest Detective Division (215) 686-3183 ext. 3184.

Tips can be submitted by calling (215) 686-TIPS (8477) or texting PPD TIP (773847). Tips can also be submitted online anonymously here. All tips are confidential.