Two Philadelphia police officers were shot a combined 15 times early Saturday while responding to a report of a man with a gun. The officers were attacked at a residence in western Philadelphia and taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for surgery. A suspect was arrested after allegedly firing at additional officers and being found hiding in a tree. His name has not been released, and the conditions of the wounded officers were not immediately clear.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said the incident began shortly after 12:20 a.m. and escalated when officers reached the property.
| 1) | Officers respond to a reported gunman |
| 2) | Gunfire erupts at the Philadelphia residence |
| 3) | SWAT locates suspect hiding in a tree |
| 4) | Wounded officers undergo surgery |
| 5) | Investigation continues after arrest |
Officers respond to a reported gunman
The two officers were dispatched just after 12:20 a.m. Saturday to 140 North 52nd Street in the western part of Philadelphia. Police were responding to a report of a man with a gun on a porch. About 30 minutes later, the officers reached the address and approached the property as part of their response.
The officers were a 40-year-old parent of two children and a 33-year-old parent of five children. Their names were not provided in the available account. The call required police to investigate a potentially armed person at a residential location during the early morning hours.
Gunfire erupts at the Philadelphia residence
Once the officers were on the porch, they came under what Commissioner Kevin Bethel described as significant gunfire. The 40-year-old officer was shot three times, while the 33-year-old officer was shot 12 times, for a combined total of 15 gunshot wounds.
Additional officers and a SWAT team arrived shortly after the shooting and found the original responding officers wounded on the porch. A local report described the attack as an ambush in which the suspect allegedly ran down an alley and fired at the officers, though investigators had not publicly released a complete account of the sequence.
SWAT locates suspect hiding in a tree
The suspect also fired at two additional officers after the initial attack, according to Bethel. SWAT officers then searched the area and located the man hiding in a tree. He was taken into custody without further details about the arrest being immediately disclosed.
Police said the suspect had two handguns and a shotgun. One of the handguns belonged to one of the officers who had been shot. The suspect’s identity and any potential charges had not been released at the time of the update.
Wounded officers undergo surgery
Both wounded officers were transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for surgery. Bethel said during a news conference that both officers were in surgery, but officials did not provide their conditions or say whether either officer had been stabilized.
The commissioner asked the public to pray for the officers and expressed support for the department’s personnel.
“I am so damn proud of the men and women who serve in this department. Consistently, they go into danger, and they give their lives for this job.”
Investigation continues after arrest
The arrest ended the immediate search for the alleged gunman, but the circumstances of the shooting remained under investigation. Detectives are expected to examine the firearms recovered, including the weapon belonging to one of the wounded officers, and determine how the suspect came to possess them.
Officials had not announced a motive, identified the suspect, or provided a detailed account of what preceded the reported ambush. The department’s investigation will also address the shots fired at the additional officers and the events leading to the suspect’s capture.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Two officers were shot 15 times combined while answering a gun call. |
| 2 | The shooting occurred at 140 North 52nd Street in western Philadelphia. |
| 3 | SWAT arrested a suspect found hiding in a tree. |
| 4 | The suspect was found with two handguns and a shotgun. |
Summary
Two Philadelphia officers remain hospitalized after being shot while responding to a report of an armed man. One officer was shot three times and the other 12 times. A suspect was arrested after allegedly firing at police and hiding in a tree, while investigators continued working to establish the full circumstances and motive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many officers were wounded?
Two Philadelphia police officers were wounded. They sustained three and 12 gunshot wounds, respectively.
Where did the shooting happen?
The shooting happened at 140 North 52nd Street in western Philadelphia after officers responded to a report of a man with a gun on a porch.
Was a suspect arrested?
Yes. SWAT officers found and arrested a suspect who was hiding in a tree. His name had not been released.
What weapons were recovered?
Police said the suspect had two handguns and a shotgun. One handgun belonged to one of the wounded officers.