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Suspect Shot After Opening Fire On Officers In North Philadelphia

By Al Novack, Steve Beck, Dray Clark

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A suspect is in critical condition after police officers were forced to open fire on him in Philadelphia early Tuesday morning.

The incident happened at about 2:30 a.m. in the 1200 block of Russell Street, only steps from Temple University Hospital in North Philadelphia.

According to investigators, the incident began with the report of a man, identified by police as 28-year-old Raymond Brown, with a gun near Temple Hospital.

When officers arrived, they spotted Brown with a silver handgun in his hand.

As officers approached the suspect, investigators say he initially ran away, but then he turned around and opened fire on the officers. Eyewitnesses say they saw the suspect fire at least two shots at the officers.

The officers then returned fire, striking Brown one time in the leg.

He is listed in critical condition at the Temple Hospital emergency room, which is literally just a matter of feet from where the man had confronted police.

No officers were injured in the altercation.

Police recovered the suspect's gun which he had thrown down a sewer inlet. According to police records, Brown has eight prior arrests, including firearm offenses.

The incident remains under investigation.

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