Phila. Police Officer Charged With Attempted Murder After Allegedly Shooting Son
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A family argument in a Northeast Philadelphia home led to a struggle, and then a police officer allegedly pulled out a gun, and shot his son.
Now, he faces charges that include attempted murder.
Prosecutors say that officer, on the force for 25-years, should have showed more restraint.
Back on Labor Day, 46-year-old Dorion Young was off-duty, inside his Taunton Street home next to Pennypack Park, when he got into a heated argument with his son over the use of the family car, according to District Attorney Seth Williams.
"Young starting waiving his pistol in the air, yelling, 'You my son, and you aren't going to keep disrespecting me.'"
Williams says Young had his personal, loaded .40 caliber pistol, and called 911.
Prosecutors won't say what Young said on that call, but then they say, he charged into the bedroom and got into a fight with his 19-year-old son, Devine.
As his son broke away, trying to make his way down the stairs, Williams said Young fired twice, hitting his son once in the back.
"There's no excuse for what happened that day. Dorion Young will be held responsible for having shot his son."
Tariq El-Shabazz, the deputy in charge of investigations in the DA's office, says the arrest was "based on evidence."
"It's not political, to make a statement. It's not to, as some people would say, to carry on a campaign."
El-Shabazz indicates Young initially suggested the weapon discharged while they were in a tussle.
"Based upon the scientific and the physical evidence, that was an impossibility."
Investigators believe Young fired while on the floor, because the first bullet went through his shoe, and the second bullet tore into his son's back.
The victim was hospitalized and lost his spleen.
"It's clear that wasn't based upon any type of tussle, but it was based upon Young, Devine Young, walking down the stairs, being shot in the flank," El-Shabazz said.
Prosecutors say such a dangerous act will bring consequences.
Young faces charges that include attempted murder and aggravated assault.
Young was suspended for 30-days, with the intent to dismiss.
Prosecutors say Young's family members, including his son, who is the victim in the shooting, are all cooperating.
It remains to be seen if he'll be able to post bail.
CBS 3's Joe Holden contributed to this report.
