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Gunfire Erupts In West Philadelphia; Suspect Shot By Police

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Authorities say a suspect was shot by police, two others were arrested and a fourth remains on the loose after a shooting in West Philadelphia.

It happened around 4:30 a.m. Saturday along the 500 block of North 56th Street when officers patrolling the area witnessed gunshots coming from a vehicle.

"They see and hear gunshots coming from that vehicle. They make a U-turn. They take a tactical position," said Lieutenant John Stanford. "They approach the vehicle on foot. That vehicle was occupied by three individuals and a fourth individual was standing outside the vehicle."

Stanford says while one officer pursued a suspect who took off running, the other ordered the three men inside the car to get out.

"The driver exits the vehicle tugging at his waistband. The officer is telling him to remove his hands. He refuses to obey those commands," Lt. Stanford explained. "He makes a step towards the officer and the officer discharges his weapon."

That bullet struck the suspect in the left arm.

At that point all three men were ordered to get on the ground. But police say one of those suspects fled, possibly with a gun.

Meantime, police say the officer who gave chase of the first suspect suffered a minor injury during a scuffle while trying to apprehend him.

The suspect who was shot was taken to the hospital and was expected to be okay. The officer who shot him was placed on administrative leave while authorities investigate, which is standard procedure in instances like this.

Investigators found about 14 shell casings at the scene but say it's not clear what the suspects were shooting at.

"Whether they were just shooting into the air, whether they were shooting at someone else, that's still what investigators have to determine," Lt. Stanford said.

One woman was also taken into custody after police say she dialed 9-1-1 and threatened to kill the officers involved in shooting her relative.

"Her family member was not the one that was actually shot," Lt. Stanford said.

Police say no weapon was recovered but they were waiting for a search warrant for the car.

 

 

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