Sources: Gunman shot by police in Tioga had just shot another man

THE MAN shot by police in Nicetown on Tuesday was packing two guns, one of which he pointed at an officer, and was fleeing the scene of a shooting in which he was the gunman, police sources said yesterday.

Last night, that man, 24, remained at Temple University Hospital, where he was taken by police after the incident. He had not yet been charged.

The gunfire rang out just before 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on 17th Street near Cayuga, police said. Two narcotics officers responded to reports of a shooting in the area, and pulled up to a Chevrolet Uplander minivan, police sources said.

A 23-year-old man was found collapsed outside the van, which had been "riddled with bullets," the source said — its front windshield was shattered, and two of its side windows were pockmarked with holes.

As the officers approached, the source said they saw a man hop out of the van. When they confronted him, he took off on 17th Street.

The officers gave chase, and about a block away, near Blavis Street, the punk raised a Glock handgun with an extended, 30-round magazine at the officers, the source said.

One officer reacted, firing his own gun five times. Three of those shots hit the gunman: one in his side, one in his left shoulder and one in his groin area, sources said. As they tended to the gunman, the officers found a second weapon, a 9mm Taurus handgun.

Investigators believe that before his confrontation with the officers, the gunman opened fire on the van, pumping at least 15 rounds into it, sources said. The 23-year-old victim, found outside the van, was inside at the time of the shooting and had been hit in his left side. He was taken to Temple in stable condition, police said.

After the gunfire, the suspect crawled into the van to retrieve something, the source said. It's not clear what he was after.

Seconds later, he came face-to-face with the two officers.

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