Suspects shot by police in North Philadelphia
A suspect in an armed robbery was hospitalized after being shot by undercover police in North Philadelphia, and cops are now searching for the man’s accomplice and a getaway driver who fled the scene.
This post has been updated
Two suspects in an armed robbery were hospitalized after being shot by undercover police in North Philadelphia, and cops are now searching for a third man who fled the scene.
The shooting unfolded around 4:40 p.m. on 21st Street between York and Dauphin after four undercover narcotics officers saw two men rob a man at gunpoint.
When police approached the suspects, a 20-year-old man fired at least five shots at them. Three of the officers returned fire, said Lt. Ray Evers, a police spokesman.
The suspect was wounded twice in his right leg and was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he was being questioned Thursday night.
The man's accomplice ran from the scene, and jumped into a black Pontiac Grand Prix that was parked on 21st Street when the shots rang out, police said.
He and a getaway driver fled to Toronto Street near 16th, where police found the bloodstained car unattended.
A 23-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to his back and a graze wound to his head was dropped off by a private vehicle at Episcopal Hospital Thursday night, police said.
He was later transferred to Temple University Hospital, said police Chief Inspector Scott Small. Police were unsure if the man was the second robbery suspect or the getaway driver. Both men were listed in stable condition as of 8:45 p.m., police said.
The Pontiac rammed a police surveillance vehicle as the men fled the scene, and an unmarked police car was damaged in the crossfire, Evers said.
At least 30 yellow evidence markers dotted the scene Thursday night.
Police were unsure Thursday night whether the getaway car was stolen, and a description of the suspects was not immediately available.