Police: Officer discharges weapon, striking suspect

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) Police say an officer shot a suspect after the man pointed a gun at officers on N. 15th Street in North Philadelphia.

Police say on March 17th shortly after 6:30 p.m. officers while on duty, in plainclothes, in an unmarked vehicle on the 3100 block of North 15 th Street observed a 22-year-old male whom they had information that the male was wanted as a possible suspect for a previous shooting. According to police, the officers exited their vehicle, identified themselves as police officers, and told the male to stop. Authorities say the male ran through a debris, and trash strewn open lot and drew a handgun from his waistband.

The officers pursued the male on foot through the lot as he ran into the rear yard of North Carlisle Street, where the officers indicated he turned with the gun pointed towards them, according to investigators. Police say one officer then discharged his service weapon, striking the male in the left side of his lower back and both upper legs. The male dropped his gun and fell to the ground.

Responding officers subsequently transported the male to Temple University Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

Police say the male's handgun, a Glock Model 30, .45 caliber semi-automatic, loaded with eight .45 caliber rounds in the magazine, was recovered at the scene.

The male was also found to be wanted for two Absconder warrants, and one Contempt of Court warrant. There were no other injuries as a result of this incident.

The incident is being investigated by Internal Affairs and will be reviewed by the District Attorney's Office. Police say the officer will be placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the preliminary investigation.