Man wounded during gun battle over bicycle in South Philadelphia

A gun battle in South Philadelphia yesterday afternoon, sparked by an argument about a bicycle, critically injured a man thought to be a bystander, police said.

About a dozen shots were fired when a 32-year-old man was struck in the chest and left knee, said Lt. Frank Vanore of the Public Affairs Unit.

The victim, whom police did not identify, was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Authorities were waiting to interview him to confirm that he was not part of the argument, Vanore said.

"The two males begin shooting at each other, and we believe the shooting victim was a bystander in the area," Vanore said.

The shots were fired about 1:15 p.m. at 26th and Dickinson Streets. Strike Force officers had been in the area and spotted one of the men with a gun, Vanore said.

Another person was seen fleeing and barricaded himself in a home in the 2500 block of Dickinson. SWAT officers negotiated for an hour before the suspect surrendered.

Vanore said the gun was confiscated and both men were taken into custody. Their names were not released immediately as charges were pending investigation.