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Gunman Shot After Standoff Near City Hall

By Mike Dougherty, Steve Beck and Oren Liebermann

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A gunman was shot by police after a brief standoff in the shadow of City Hall early Friday morning.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says authorities received reports at about 6:30 a.m. of a man shooting a gun near the Masonic Temple at Broad Street and JFK Boulevard.

Authorities say the suspect, later identified as 22-year-old Amir Bey, was walking down Broad Street and firing a gun at windows.

Ramsey says officers shut down traffic, as well as SEPTA service near City Hall. They confined the gunman to Broad Street between JFK and Arch and called in the SWAT team. Police say 16 officers fired back, hitting Bey 10 to 12 times.

"As SWAT was arriving, literally pulling up to the scene, the offender took a shot at police. He was in the middle of the street. Police responded and returned fire," Ramsey said.

Police say Bey was rushed to Hahnemann University Hospital in critical condition.

"Whether he's been diagnosed previously or will be diagnosed later, clearly that was somebody of a deranged person to engage officers in that manner. Obviously he was looking for something to happen," said Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel.

Friends who knew Bey say he was a religious and respectful adult.

"He never bothered nobody. He was a good guy, that's why it's shocking to see," said Randy Fagan.

No officers were injured during the standoff.

SEPTA service was also affected, but both subways and all trolley service returned to normal operations shortly after the standoff and the subsequent investigation ended.

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