Officer hurt, suspect shot in S.W. Phila. disturbance

Inquirer staff writer Larry King reports:

A suspect who beat a  police officer with a cinderblock in a bid to escape was shot and wounded by police during a disturbance this morning in the 1800 block of South 57th Street, authorities said.

The shooting took place around 5:30 a.m. after two 12th District officers confronted a male suspect, who then fled into a building on the block, said Lt. Frank Vanore, a police spokesman.

"The man picked up a cinderblock and struck one of the officers several times," Vanore said. The fight continued as a backup officer arrived, he said.

"He threatened the officers and was shot, I believe, in the arm," Vanore said, citing preliminary reports.

The suspect was in stable condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Vanore said. The officer was being treated for arm injuries.

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