Bicycle officer shot in West Philly, is in stable condition

A city police bicycle officer is recovering after he was shot in his right arm Thursday night by a man who had fled when the police tried to question him about a possible drug violation in West Philadelphia, authorities said.

Law enforcement sources in the meantime identified the man who allegedy shot Officer Daniel Kostick as  William Nobblen, 35, of Philadelphia, who has a long criminal record, with convictions for drug-related offenses and DUI and a guilty plea for retail theft.

Kostick, 37, an eight-year veteran of the department, was on patrol in the 19th District about 10:15 p.m. when he and his partner approached a white minivan in connection with the suspected narcotics violation, Deputy Commissioner Richard Ross said.

A law enforcement source said Kostick. who spoke to investigator briefly Thursday night, had initially tried to stop Nobblen's van because he saw the vehicle driving erratically, with smoke seeping from it.

Police said earlier the van backed up and did a U-turn, but Kostick later found the vehicle at 51st and Master Streets and approached.

Kostick, still on his bicycle, was talking to the driver when the man turned toward him, said, "I don't want to have to do this," and fired at the officer, Ross said. Kostick returned fire and the van sped away.

Kostick, wounded in the arm, was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where the married father of two children remained Friday.

"He's in good spirits. He's going to be OK and we're thankful for that," said Ross. "But this underscores just how dangerous this job is."

Not long after the gunfire, investigators found the suspected gunman slumped in an alley behind a building on Master Street near 50th Street.

He had been shot in his arm, and a gun lay at his feet, police said. He was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital, where he was reported in critical condition Thursday night.

Ross said the weapon believed to have been the one used to wound Kostick was recovered.

A second male who was pulled over in a white van a mile away from the shooting scene and was found to have shotgun inside was not connected to the wounding of Officer Kostick, the law enforcement source said.

Early Friday, all was quiet back on Master Street, a stark contrast from the sea of blue uniforms and lights that has flooded it just hours earlier.

As crime scene investigators combed the scene, they stepped around Kostick's bike, still laying where he fell, with its wheel askew.

Laura McCrystal and Aubrey Whelan are Inquirer staff writers.

Vinny Vella is a Daily News staff writer.