Police: Man shot after punching car with family inside in apparent road rage incident

WISSAHICKON - An apparent road rage situation led to the shooting of a 37-year-old man in Philadelphia's Wissahickon section and the alleged shooter is facing charges.

According to officials, 5th District officers were called to an alleyway near the 3900 block of Manayunk Avenue, just off the 300 block of Hermit Street Saturday night, around 9:30, on a report of gunshots.

When police arrived, they found a 37-year-old man suffering with at least three gunshot wounds and the alleged shooter was also on location.

Philadelphia Police Inspector D.F. Pace explained an apparent road rage incident took place between the driver of a white Jeep SUV and the driver of a large, dark-colored Chevrolet van.

Somewhere on Ridge Avenue, the driver of the Chevy passed by a Jeep with a male driver, his wife and 7-year-old child inside, on the left. Ridge Avenue, in that area, is a two-lane roadway.

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The driver of the Jeep reportedly thought the Chevy driver was in distress, being followed or intoxicated, and was worried he would injure someone. The family then followed the Chevy until it crashed into two vehicles parked on the Manayunk Ave. alleyway.

It was then, Inspector Pace said, the driver of the Chevy got out of the vehicle and approached the Jeep and punched it. The driver of the Jeep, identified as Matthew Lorusso, licensed to carry and in possession of a firearm, told the man to back off. He didn’t and that is when Lorusso is said to have shot the Chevy driver, twice in the torso and one graze wound to the head.

Police and medics arrived. The 37-year-old victim was rushed to Lankenau Medical Center where he was initially listed in extremely critical condition. He is now said to be stable.

Lorusso, who had a gun permit, remained at the scene and was taken into custody. His wife and child were taken to police headquarters. Lorusso, according to officials in the District Attorney's office, has been charged with Aggravated Assault and other related offenses.

Philadelphia Police Captain Walker says Lorusso believed he was protecting his family.

Inspector Pace said four spent shell casings were found at the scene. He added that police found a firearm inside the Chevy, though the man was not armed when he exited his vehicle.

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