West Philly Shooting Rampage Leaves 2 Dead, 5 Wounded, Including 2 Police Officers
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) — Police say a note expressing hatred toward law enforcement was found after a man ambushed a police officer then went on a shooting rampage, injuring a second officer, killing one woman and injuring three other people in West Philadelphia.
Officials have identified the suspect as 25-year-old Nicholas Glenn. He was shot and killed by police.
The wild chase and shootout began around 11:20 p.m. Friday near 52nd and Sansom Streets.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said Sgt. Sylvia Young was ambushed and shot multiple times in the arm and protective vest. He said Ed Miller, a former police officer who is now a member of the police force at the University of Pennsylvania, was also wounded. Both were in stable condition early Saturday at Penn Presbyterian Hospital.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said both officers are lucky to be alive.
"The one officer was cracking jokes with his kids, his wife," the mayor said. "The other was talking with her family."
On Twitter, the mayor thanked the Philadelphia police for their service, going on to say that it was a terrible night.
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Glenn was cornered in an alley and fatally shot by police, the commissioner said.
Young, a 19-year police veteran, was sitting in her vehicle at about 11:20 p.m. when she was ambushed by the Glenn, who fired numerous shots, Ross said. Young was struck up to eight times, multiple times in her protective vest and left arm.
Glenn fled, Ross said, and shot into a nearby bar, striking a security guard in the leg. The man then grabbed a woman and used her as a shield before shooting her in the leg.
Moments later, as police gave chase, the suspect shot into a car, striking a man and a woman in the chest. Both were rushed to the hospital where the woman later died and the man was listed in critical condition.
Mayor Kenney, expressed his condolences and added that he was praying for a full recovery of all civilians injured.
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Ross said Miller and two police officers chased the man into an alley, where he was shot and killed.
The identities of those who were injured were not immediately released.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf released a statement and sent a Tweet Saturday that said his thoughts were with the victims of the ambush and also thanked officers for their service.
"Our thoughts are with the officers and other victims of this horrifying violence. This is a reminder of the danger that those who seek to keep us safe face every day and we are thankful for the law enforcement personnel who put themselves in harm's way to protect the people of our commonwealth."
Commissioner Ross said Glenn was found carrying a letter describing his hatred for police and parole officers.
"This rambling suggests that he clearly was trying to target a police officer, as he did, and that was the initial shooting victim, the sergeant. It just kind of makes it very clear to us what he was out there to do," Ross said. "We have no reason at this point to believe that it's related to any beliefs of a religious nature or anything like that, just his feelings about police departments."
Ross said the shooter used a 9mm handgun and reloaded at least one time during the attack. According to police Glenn acted alone.
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