Amtrak police officer shot at McDonald's; woman arrested

An Amtrak police officer responding to a disturbance at a McDonald's inside 30th Street Station was shot in the foot yesterday.

The 28-year veteran of the Amtrak police force - identified by Amtrak officials as James Bullard - suffered broken bones in his left foot and was listed in stable condition at Hahnemann University Hospital last night, Philadelphia police officials said.

A woman in her 30s, whose name was withheld by police, has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, simple assault and related offenses in the incident, police said.

Marvin Jones, of West Philadelphia, was eating inside the restaurant when the woman allegedly began arguing with McDonald's employees at about 11 a.m.

Jones said it appeared that the woman, "who looked like she didn't have nowhere to live," was trying to get a refill on her coffee, but the staff was refusing her request.

Bullard responded to the disturbance and attempted to get the woman to leave. As soon as he approached, Jones said the woman reached for the officer's gun.

Jones didn't see who fired the gun but said he heard a gunshot as he fled the restaurant, sweet tea in hand.

"They can keep the food," he said. "I just didn't want to get shot."

A single bullet-ridden boot worn by the officer, which was left on the restaurant floor, was the only remnant of the crime scene.

Lt. Frank Vanore, a Philadelphia police spokesman, confirmed that the shooting stemmed from the woman's refusal to leave McDonald's upon the officer's request.

"She became unruly, a struggle ensued and she attempts to grab his gun from the holster," Vanore said.

"During that struggle, his gun does discharge one time and strikes him in the left foot."

Vanore said the woman discharged the firearm, not the officer.

"Her hand was on the gun," he said. *

Staff writer Christine Olley contributed to this report.