Officer Shoots Knife-Wielding Man 6 Times In West Philadelphia, Police Say
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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A knife-wielding man is in critical condition after police shot him six times when he ignored commands to drop the weapon and walked towards officers, authorities say. When officers arrived, they found a man with a kitchen knife who refused to drop it and began walking towards them, police say.
"I was laying in bed, watching TV and just hear four loud gunshots go off," neighbor Robbie Woodruff said.
That was the gunfire of a Philadelphia Police officer. It all unfolded as officers responded to a call of a stabbing just after 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.
"A male emerged from the property on the north side of the block carrying a knife, and he began advancing towards the officers," Philadelphia Police Capt. Sekou Kinebrew said. "Both officers initially retreated, while giving him warnings to drop the knife. The male did not comply and continued advancing towards the officers."
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That's when, police say, the 27-year-old officer shot the man six times on the 4900 block of Hazel Street in West Philadelphia.
"Officers that responded did survey and scour the house in search of a stabbing victim," Kinebrew said. "At this point, we have not produced anyone that was stabbed."
Nearby residents were shocked to see the crime scene on their street.
"It's a real quiet block, nothing like this ever happens," Woodruff said. "It's a real close-knit block, so it's very strange."
That officer is now off the streets as police conduct an investigation into the shooting.
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"Our internal affairs officers investigate and our officer-involved shooting investigations unit investigate as well," Kinebrew said.
The officer who fired his gun has been with the department for four years. He was the only officer to open fire.
The man who was shot has yet to be identified.
