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Drexel police: Man shot after punching officer and grabbing his gun

A Drexel University police officer shot and wounded a man Friday after the man allegedly punched the officer in the face and grabbed for his service weapon, Philadelphia police said.

A Drexel University police officer shot and wounded a man Friday after the man allegedly punched the officer in the face and grabbed for his service weapon, Philadelphia police said.

The incident developed around 6 p.m., when a Drexel employee told an university officer she had been harassed by a stranger as she walked to her car parked near the Drexel Police headquarters at 32nd and Arch Streets, said Lt. John Walker of Southwest Detectives, whose unit is investigating the incident.

The unidentified suspect then approached the officer and the woman while the officer escorted the woman to her car, Walker said.

When the officer went to question the man, the suspect "immediately" punched him in the face, dazing him and grabbing for his gun, Walker said.

"The officer is able to move his body away, but the suspect grabs for the gun a second time," Walker said.

Getting control of his weapon, the officer fired twice, striking the male in his leg and arm, Walker said.

The officer's name has not been released. He was treated at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and released with a cut to his face.

Police are still working to identify the suspect, who provided investigators with a false name. He was described as white, in his 30's and possibly homeless, Walker said. He is in stable condition.

Police believe the suspect may have been under the influence of narcotics.

"We're still looking to see what his motivation was, who he is, where he's from, and figure out why his actions were what they were," he said.

Philadelphia police will handle the investigation into the shooting, Walker said, while Drexel University conducts an internal departmental review of the incident.

The District Attorney's Office will then review the joint findings, Walker said.

The officer will be placed on desk duty until the investigation is completed, said, Lori Doyle, a Drexel University spokeswoman.

In an email to students and faculty Saturday, Drexel University President John A. Fry said that "campus and "community safety is Drexel's top priority."

"I am confident that we have a safe campus and neighborhood, and that they will keep getting safer," he said.