2 hurt, 1 critically, in violent night

Two men are injured, with one barely clinging to life, tonight after two separate incidents that occurred an hour apart, police said.

The male, who had to rely on a voice box to communicate because of a tracheotomy, told medics that he had been the victim of a home invasion.

He gave the following account to police: Two men, who he believes followed him home, forced their way into his apartment. A struggle ensued, with the punks overpowering the older man.

"He has some serious health problems," Small said. "He put up as best a fight as he could."

They then stabbed the victim with a steak knife from the apartment's kitchen, and stole his iPad and prescription painkillers before fleeing the scene.

After that savage attack, the victim was able to call medics using his Life Alert pendant.

The victim was taken to Aria Health's Torresdale campus, where he's in stable condition, Small said.

Magee Avenue near Loretto, Castor

About an hour later, a 25-year-old man was shot in the head as he was walking home from buying cigarettes at a corner store, Small said.

The victim was found by emergency medical personnel, who in turn contacted officers from the 2nd Police District.

When they arrived, they found the victim lying on the sidewalk, shot once in the side of his head at close range.

He was also taken to Aria's Torresdale campus, where he is in extremely critical condition, Small said. He's not expected to survive.

No information on a suspect is available in either case.