Police: Attempted Robbery Victim Shoots, Kills Alleged Suspect In Upper Darby
UPPER DARBY, Pa. (CBS) -- An investigation is underway after police say a man attempted to rob a 67-year-old man and he shot and killed the alleged suspect.
Police say the man was walking near Cobbs Creek Park around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday when the suspect attempted to rob him.
The 67-year-old had a concealed carry permit and authorities say he shot the alleged robber in the head, killing him.
Michael Hepperly says he's lived across the street from the park his entire life and it's dangerous.
"It's not really a good place to go through at any time."
He says he's afraid to even walk through the park. "I was just walking home at night and they came up behind me and struck me. They took my wallet and stuff, beat me up a bit."
"People are getting fed up so you have to protect yourself these days," said neighbor Kathryn Cooper told Eyewitness News.
Police collected evidence, including the alleged robber's gun, which detectives say turned out to be a toy gun. Police said Thursday it was a metal pellet gun that looked like a semi-automatic pistol.
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood says he believes the attack was random.
"It's a shame somebody had to die but at the end of the day the bad guy pulled a stickup and lost," Chitwood said.
Originally the victim told police there were two attackers, but changed his story and said in the heat of the moment, he was confused and may have seen someone nearby that did not attack him.
The victim was taken to a local hospital with chest pains, but Eyewitness News is told he is going to be okay.
