Cops: Overbrook robber targets off-duty officer

One armed robber in Overbrook didn't realize that the dog walker he targeted last night was a cop. Nor that he was armed.

The incident happened about 11:30 p.m. on 58th Street near Malvern Avenue, according to a police source. The officer was out walking his dog after coming from his shift in Southwest Philly's 12th District when he heard someone running up behind him, yelling at him.

When he turned, he saw that the unidentified man was pointing a gun at him, the source said. The officer, who was not wearing his uniform, produced his own gun and fired eight times.

The robber fled the scene, and it's unclear if he was struck by any of the bullets, the source said. A house and a few cars parked nearby were struck by the gunfire, but no one was injured, police said.

Following the shooting, the officer reported the attempted robbery to police. As is the case with all police-involved shootings, Internal Affairs is investigating the incident.

The suspect is described as a man, about 5-foot-8, whose face was obscured by the hood of his sweatshirt during the robbery, police said.

Coincidentally, last night's shooting took place about a mile from where another dog walker, James Stuhlman, was gunned down during a botched robbery attempt March 12. Police have arrested and charged the alleged gunmen, two teenagers, in that case, and it doesn't appear to be related to last night's incideint.