Phila. police keep up search in road-rage shooting

The Glendora man shot in the head during a road rage incident Sunday night in South Philadelphia remained in critical condition yesterday as police kept hunting for motorists who may have witnessed the shooting.

Thomas Timko, 41, was wounded after apparently accidentally cutting off another driver on the Schuylkill Expressway near the Passyunk Avenue exit. Police said an exchange of some sort apparently ensued between Timko and the other driver, who pulled out a .40-caliber gun.

As the men headed west on the expressway about 8:45 p.m., the other driver fired, and a bullet struck Timko in the head as he tried to shield his 8-year-old daughter, Katie, who was belted in the backseat of his girlfriend's light-metallic-colored 2001 Toyota Highlander.

Police said they were still looking for more information and hoped that motorists who witnessed the shooting would call South Detectives at 215-686-3013 with any information, no matter how irrelevant it may seem.

Police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore said the expressway at that hour ordinarily has heavy traffic because of sports events in South Philadelphia and people returning from the Shore.

Rick Boutilier, 43, of the Catalina Hills section of Gloucester Township, a friend of Timko's, said he was optimistic about his friend's recovery. Timko remained sedated yesterday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

He has had some interaction with visitors but has a long recovery ahead, Boutilier said.

Police said Timko was taking his daughter to her mother's home in Norristown. Shortly after he crossed the Walt Whitman Bridge, he pulled over just before the Passyunk exit.

He may have cut off the other driver while trying to merge back into traffic. Police said they were relying in part on the account of Timko's daughter.

With her father slumped behind the steering wheel, Katie Timko got out of the vehicle and flagged down a passing motorist, who called police. When police arrived, they found Timko shot in the forehead and a rear passenger window shattered. At least three bullets went into the vehicle.