Police: Man shot while investigating smell of gas in North Philadelphia
The 39-year-old man went to check on the smell of fuel on the 1600 block of North 21st Street, spotted a gas can near a garage-type security gate and felt a pain in his thigh after hearing gunshots.
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A 39-year-old man was shot and wounded early Wednesday when he went to investigate a strong smell of gasoline outside his North Philadelphia apartment, police said.
The victim was reported in stable condition with a leg wound at Hahnemann University Hospital as a Fire Department arson team joined the investigation on the 1600 block of North 21st Street.
Police found a gasoline can in front of a metal garage-type security gate on the ground. A Fire Department arson dog was brought in to check the area.
The victim told police he was taking out the trash about 4 a.m. when he smelled gasoline and went to look for the source of the heavy odor. When he spotted the red gas can, shots rang out and he felt a pain in his left thigh.
Police Chief Inspector Scott Small told reporters at the scene that the man reported seeing a white SUV speed off after the shooting.
It was not immediately clear what was housed in the garage space that was the target of the apparent attempted arson.