THE RUNDOWN:
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1. Police identify suspect in Frankford shootout that injured SEPTA officer, 3 others
Ervis Onuzi, 28, has been identified as the SEPTA Transit Police officer who was wounded during a gun battle with a suspect on Wednesday. (SEPTA)
PHILADELPHIA - Authorities have identified a gunman involved in Wednesday night's shootout in Frankford that injured four people, including a SEPTA Transit Officer.
Police say 18-year-old Zyhiem Hartman exchanged gunfire with seven police officers from inside an apartment on the 4700 block of Leiper Street.
Police initially reported that Hartman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, but an autopsy confirmed that he was fatally shot by police.
Investigators on Friday shared preliminary information on the chaotic scene that started near the Arrott Transportation Center around 7 p.m. Wednesday.
According to authorities, officers from the Philadelphia Police Department responded to the 4700 block of Penn Street after hearing 8-9 gunshots.
The gunshots stemmed from a physical altercation between the suspect and another man, police said. It's believed that the suspect fired at the man, striking him once in the neck, while he was walking away. Two women, ages 52 and 42, were hit in the lower body by apparent stray gunfire.
Police spotted a suspect in a black hooded sweatshirt running down the 1600 block of Arrott Street and gave chase, police said. Officer and witnesses saw the suspect run into a property on the 4700 block of Arrott Street.
Police said the suspect briefly exited the building without his black hooded sweatshirt on, but slammed the door when he saw officers. Police declared a barricade and soon after heard gunshots from an upper floor.
Police requested for long-gun trained officers and SEPTA Police Officer Ervis Onuzi responded to the scene, according to investigators. Officer Onuzi was shot in the abdomen while attempting to take cover behind a patrol vehicle, police said.
Police Sargent Eric Gripp told reporters that authorities used technology to determine that the suspect was down near a second floor window. Police initially thought he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, but police said Friday that a medical examiner determined that he was shot by police.
The two women injured in the initial shooting were taken to the hospital in stable condition, police said. The man who was struck in the neck was taken to Jefferson-Torresdale and intubated.
Investigators said Hartman was armed with a 9mm semi-automatic ghost gun. Sources told FOX 29 that he was known to police prior to the shootout.
2. 'There has to be change': Father of slain Philadelphia 15-year-old shares feelings about immeasurable loss
PHILADELPHIA - The heartbroken father of a Philadelphia teenager who police say was shot and killed while walking to his father's car last month described the immeasurable loss.
"I really can’t put into words what I’m going through right now," John Toomey said. "Every time I see an article of clothes or a football in his room, you know I lose it."
Sean Toomey, 15, was shot in the head outside his family’s home in Wissinoming on March 24. He later died from his injuries at the hospital.
John thought the gunfire was fireworks, but when Sean didn't come back inside for several minutes he grew concerned.
"I went outside and saw him lying in my neighbors' lawn," John said. "He was moaning, there was blood on his head and I couldn’t revive him."
Investigators originally said that Sean was hit by stray gunfire, but law enforcement sources told FOX 29's Kelly Rule that they believe he was shot while running from an attempted carjacking.
Sources said Sean was unloading water from his father's car when two men approached him and tried to steal the car. Sources also say investigators believed that the same two suspects attempted to carjack a woman as she attempted to park in the apartment complex across the street.
Philadelphia police shared images Friday of two suspects who are wanted in connection with Sean's shooting death. No further descriptions or details about the suspects were provided.
Philadelphia's Fraternal Order of Police is offering an $11k reward for any information that leads to an arrest.
"It wasn’t like this before" John said. "There has to be change and people to answer for what they are responsible for."
3. Kyle Schwarber goes deep for Phillies in 9-5 win over Athletics
Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Bryce Harper after he hit a home run against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of the Opening Day game at Citizens Bank Park. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) ((Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images))
PHILADELPHIA - Kyle Schwarber homered in his first at-bat with the Phillies, reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper knocked in a run and Aaron Nola struck out seven to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 9-5 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday.
Schwarber’s first opening day in Philadelphia was one to remember for the 29-year-old slugger. Fresh off the $79 million, four-year contract he signed last month, Schwarber crushed a 427-foot homer to right off A’s starter Frankie Montas (0-1) on just his seventh pitch of the game. Schwarber took an energetic run around the bases for his 14th career leadoff homer. The sellout crowd of 44,232 went wild and Schwarber thrust his helmet in the air for a rousing curtain call.
The fun was just getting started in Philly.
Schwarber’s one-out walk in the third inning ignited a four-run burst. Harper heard rousing "MVP! MVP!" chants that followed him from opening day introductions to his last at-bat. He showed why he earned that award last season with a hit to left that he stretched into a double. Harper scored on Hoskins’ two-RBI single. Didi Gregorius’ single up the middle made it 5-0.
Castellanos added an RBI double in the seventh and Schwarber drove in another in the ninth.
Nola, the 2018 All-Star who went 9-9 with a 4.63 ERA last season, made his fifth straight opening day start. Chad Pinder hit a solo homer in the fourth. Seth Brown's three-run shot in the seventh chased Nola (1-0). The A's made it 6-5 but Brad Hand struck out Jed Lowrie looking with runners on second and third to end the seventh.
4. Driver killed after loose tire crashes through windshield on I-95 in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA - A driver has died after Pennsylvania State Police say he was struck by a loose tire on I-95 in Philadelphia Friday morning.
The incident happened just after 12:30 a.m. in the southbound lanes of the highway between Broad and Front Streets.
Police say a tire came off of a pickup truck that was driving in the northbound lanes. The tire then entered the southbound lanes and struck the passing vehicle.
According to police, the tire went through the vehicle’s front windshield, striking the male driver.
The driver was taken to the hospital where he later died.
Authorities have not identified the victim at this time.
5. Man injured in broad daylight shooting near Pennsylvania Convention Center, police say
PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say a man was injured in a broad daylight shooting Friday afternoon outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Officer were called to the area of 12th and Vine streets around 5 p.m for reports of a shooting.
Philadelphia Police Captain John Walker told reporters that officers found a blood trail for several blocks that lead them to a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the arm.
The victim was taken to Jefferson University Hospital in stable condition, according to police.
Walker said investigators believe the shooting happened during an argument between two men. The shooter, a Black man wearing all black clothes and a white "item" on his head, then walked to 13th Street where investigators lost sight of him.
Walker told reporters that there were people around during the shooting happened. No other injuries were reported.
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